The workplace

• A positive work environment
• Technological environment
• Language environment
• Employment equity
• Social environment

A positive work environment

The creation of a positive work environment is an essential element in the Agency’s Human Resources Strategy. Ensuring that our employees have a strong sense of their value and contribution to the Agency helps to encourage commitment, increase retention and facilitate mobility and versatility. A positive work environment helps the Agency achieve its goals. The Agency has gradually built a series of practices which support and demonstrate a commitment to its employees and help to create a positive work environment.

No lay-off policy

A ‘no lay-off’ policy has been maintained since 1979, despite periods of severe budget cutbacks. The policy is vital to career mobility as it encourages risk taking. It succeeds because of the Agency’s strong investment in training and rotation. If it becomes necessary to eliminate a program, the affected employees are readily redeployable to other areas.

Flexible work schedules

The Agency offers a truly flexible work environment. Some Statistics Canada initiatives are common with those offered by other enlightened employers; for instance, flextime, part-time, job sharing and compressed time, when the situation permits.

Statistics Canada is unique, however, in that it is able to consistently offer all of these options. The Agency can be flexible because the employees are well trained and have the versatility to perform many functions, so they can easily rotate to another section if the existing work environment cannot be modified to suit the accommodation requested. This ‘open market’ actually forces, or gives incentive to, managers to be more obliging, since otherwise they risk losing talented employees who can easily rotate to an area with a higher reputation for flexibility in meeting personal needs.

Technological environment

Since computers play an essential role in survey development and implementation, Statistics Canada is equipped with modern computer technology. Economists, Sociologists and Statisticians regularly use statistical and graphics software to simplify and speed up their work. These software facilities, in particular SAS (Statistical Analysis System), are designed to analyze data, perform empirical simulations and produce analytical graphs. The ever-growing capabilities of the micro-computer make it an ideal tool. At Statistics Canada every Economist, Sociologist and Statistician has a micro-computer on a network. Statistics Canada also makes wide use of the intranet for internal communications and the Internet for its efficient and effective means in disseminating information.

Language environment

At Statistics Canada, you will often work with colleagues who speak English and/or French. Supervisors and managers at Statistics Canada are expected to be able to work in both official languages and all staff are encouraged to become bilingual and make use of both English and French in all aspects of their work. However, bilingualism is not a criterion for recruitment. Training in the other official language is encouraged and supported by Statistics Canada and offered by the in-house Language Training and Testing Center.

Employment equity

To quote the Chief Statistician, "Employment Equity is a fundamental goal, seeking to build the widest pool of future employees and leaders". The Employment Equity program helps persons with disabilities, Aboriginal peoples, women and members of visible minorities to overcome any physical, attitudinal or systematic obstacles in the work place.

Social environment

At Statistics Canada in Ottawa , various extracurricular activities are available to employees, such as: the Statistics Canada Fitness Program, which provides aerobics classes during lunch hours and after working hours; the Statistics Canada Choir, which performs both inside and outside the agency; a Toastmasters Club; and Statistics Canada leagues in sports, such as softball and volleyball. Our regional offices also organise extracurricular activities adding a regional flavor.

Statistics Canada organizes activities for National Access Awareness Week — Integrating Persons with Disabilities, Aboriginal Awareness Week, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and International Women's Week. Employees at Statistics Canada can also become involved in the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign of the Ottawa-Gatineau region through various activities such as bake sales, book sales, raffles and barbecues.