Downwood Veterinary Centre is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities.
That culture includes
- Promoting diversity by identifying and removing barriers in recruitment, advancement and retention for under-represented groups. These groups may include women, people of colour, indigenous individuals, individuals with a disability, LGBTQIA+ individuals and any additional groups identified through ongoing review.
- Preventing discrimination by making decisions regarding recruitment, advancement, compensation and workplace opportunities without regard for race, place of origin, age, sex, gender or gender expression, sexual orientation, religious belief or creed, disability or any other characteristic identified through ongoing review.
- Promoting respectfulness, cultural awareness and inclusivity by fostering a collaborative work environment in which all employees participate and contribute; empowering and providing a safe space for all employees to express themselves, exchange ideas and feel heard; encouraging employees to be open and curious about others’ experiences and perspectives; and respecting employees’ privacy in the collection, use and disclosure of any information about personal characteristics.
Application
This policy is made in accordance with applicable employment standards, health and safety, human rights and accessibility legislation. This policy will be reviewed annually or as necessary to reflect the diversity and inclusion values adopted by Downwood Veterinary Centre. All leaders, managers and employees play a role in making the business a diverse and inclusive place for everyone.
Diverse employee representation
Supporting diversity in hiring and other employment opportunities may include:
- Identifying any barriers that may exist for providing equal employment opportunities and removing those barriers, either by redesigning hiring or advancement processes, or by providing accommodations.
- Training management personnel on the importance of diversity in hiring and advancement, and on best practices in those efforts.
- Expanding talent networks and places for advertising job openings and recruiting a diverse pool of candidates.
- Ensuring proper representation within those involved in the interviewing and hiring process.
- Setting goals to increase representation of diverse individuals in senior leadership roles.
Employee participation
The Business may charge employees with playing a role in creating an inclusive work environment by, for example, encouraging them to appreciate, support and avoid excluding colleagues, including recognising and taking actions to correct subtle acts of exclusion.
Workplace policies
The Business might adopt policies to support D&I objectives, such as:
- Offering flexible work arrangements to accommodate diverse personal situations, for example family care obligations, disability or religious observation.
- Evaluating employees’ job performance on D&I competencies, including respect and support for colleagues.
- Enabling employees to specify their pronouns and respecting their pronoun designations.
Communication and idea sharing
We aim to find ways to encourage an ongoing dialogue on diversity issues. Employees are invited to share their ideas, challenge the status quo and have difficult conversations, with recognition and reward for doing so and no retaliation.
Review of the policy
The Business will maintain and revise this policy as required to advance diversity and inclusion goals. The Business expressly reserves the right to change, modify or remove portions of this policy without notice.
This policy was implemented on 23rd April 2026.
