Skip to main content

Eliminating the Barriers to Employment Equity in the Canadian Workplace

  • Chapter
Women in Corporate Management
  • 199 Accesses

Abstract

Have employment equity programs achieved the goal of equity for women in the workplace? We argue that they have not because gender stereotypes still persist. In fact, they may have created resentment and antagonism towards successful women and employment equity initiatives. Arguments are developed for the Canadian government to create a self-regulating system, in which the government plays a role of educator as opposed to monitor.

L. E. Falkenberg is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Management, and has served on the University of Calgary’s Employment Equity Committee for several years.

L. Boland is an instructor in the Faculty of Management and was previously the Assistant Vice-President of Human Resources for the Sovereign Life Insurance Company.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • A Matter of Fairness: Report of the Special Committee on the Review of the Employment Equity Act: May, 1992 (Canada Communication Group, Publishing Supply and Services Canada, Ottawa).

    Google Scholar 

  • Aarsteinsen, B.: 1993, ‘Equity Programs Benefit Workplace: Those Who Have Tried Them Report’, Toronto Star, February 22, pp. B1 and B6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abram, M.: 1994, ‘Affirmative Action: Fair Shakers and Social Engineers’, in P. Burstein (ed.), Equal Employment Opportunity: Labour Market Discrimination and Public Policy (Aldine De Gruyter, New York), p. 71084.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambrose, M. L., L. K. Harland and C. T. Kulik: 1991, ‘Influence of Social Comparisons on Perceptions of Organization Fairness’, Journal of Applied Psychology 76(2), 239–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Annual Report: Employment and Equity Act: 1993 (Human Resources Development Canada, Minister of Supply and Services).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagnall, J.: 1992, ‘Myths Block Path to Boardroom for Many Women’, p. B1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, R.: 1990, ‘Why Rules Don’t Work’, Modern Law Review 53, 321–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, J. N.: 1994, ‘Organization Evidence of Ascription in Labour Markets’, in P. Burnstein (ed.), Equal Employment Opportunity: Labour Market Discrimination and Public Policy (Aldine De Gruyter, New York), pp. 71–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp, J. L. and N. E. Bowie: 1993, Ethical Theory and Business (4th ed.) (Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bendimadhu, P. B. and R. Wright: 1992, Implementing Employment Equity: A Canadian Experience (Conference Board of Canada), Report 94–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bendimadhu, P. B. and R. Wright: 1991, ‘Employment Equity: Impact of the Legislation’, Canadian Business Review, Summer, 22–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite, J.: 1982: ‘Enforced Self-Regulation: A New Strategy for Corporate Crime Control’, Michigan Law Review 80, 1466–1507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burstein, P.: 1994, ‘Conclusion’, in P. Burstein (ed.), Equal Employment Opportunity: Labour Market Discrimination and Public Policy (Aldine De Gruyter, New York), pp. 425–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardozo: 1993, ‘Levelling the Playing Field’, Policy Options 14(2), 27–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • CN’s Job Equity on Track: 1993, ‘Hiring of Target Group Increases’, Globe and Mail, January 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coiro, S.: 1989, ‘Survey Finds 66% Oppose Quotas on Hiring Women’, Toronto Star, December 10, p. B8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowley, B. L.: 1993, ‘Does Counting Bodies Add Up to Fairness?’, Canadian Business, pp. 71–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, J.: 1993, ‘Recession Used As Excuse For Holding Back Women Bankers’, Montreal Gazette, December 9, p. C1.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Laurentiis, J.: 1991, ‘Eliminating Barriers’, Canadian Business Review, Summer, 33–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • England, P.: 1994, ‘Neoclassical Economists’ Theories of Discrimination’, in P. Burstein (ed.), Equal Employment Opportunity: Labour Market Discrimination and Public Policy (Aldine De Gruyter, New York), pp. 59–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, E.: 1993, ‘City Fails to Meet Job Quota’, Calgary Herald, p. B1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folger, R., D. Rosenfield, J. Grove and L. Corkran: 1979, ‘Effects of “Voice” and Peer Opinions on Responses to Inequity’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 37, 2253–2261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French, W. L. and C. H. Bell, Jr.: 1995, ‘Organization Development: Behavioral Science Interventions for Organization Improvement (5th ed.) (Prentice Hall, Engelwood Cliffs, NJ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Geller, C.: 1980-1991, ‘Equality in Employment for Women: The Role of Affirmative Action’, Canadian Journal of Women and Law 4, 373–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granovetter, M.: 1985, ‘Economic Action and Social Structure: The Problem of Embeddedness’, American Journal of Sociology 91, 481–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, J.: 1990, ‘Looking Fair vs. Being Fair: Managing Impressions of Organizational Justice’, Research in Organizational Behavior 12, 111–157 (#2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, E. B. and J. H. Blakely: 1993, ‘Employment Equity in Canada’, Policy Options 14(2), 3–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henry, F. and H. Jain: 1991, ‘When Inequity is Built Right into the System’, Globe and Mail, April 12, p. A15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henry, F. and C. Tator: 1992, ‘Myths Surround Issue of Fairness in Workplace’, Toronto Star, March 20, p. A29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howes, C: 1993, ‘Petro-Canada Praised for Diversity: firm Employing More Women and Visible Minorities’, Calgary Herald, October 27, p. B2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain, H. C: 1989, ‘Racial Minorities and Affirmative Action/Employment Equity Legislation in Canada’, Relations Industrielles 44, 593–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jain, H.C. and R. D. Hackett: 1989, ‘Measuring Effectiveness of Employment Equity Programs in Canada: Public Policy and A Survey’, Canadian Public Policy XV, 189–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahansky, K. M. and E. Maggio: 1993, ‘Equity’s Ups and Downs’, Benefits Canada 17(10), 23–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, R.: 1994, ‘Persuasion and Distrust: A Comment on the Affirmative Action Debate’, in P. Burstein (ed.), Equal Employment Opportunity: Labour Market Discrimination and Public Policy (Aldine De Gruyter, New York), pp. 85–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsley, M. J.: 1993, ‘A Pragmatic Approach to Workplace Equality’, Business & Contemporary World 5, 171–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • List, W. L.: 1989, ‘Employers Find Rewards in Employment Equity’, Canadian Business Review 16(1), 35–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg, S. J.: 1994, ‘Equality and Efficiency: Anti-Discrimination Policies in the Labour Market’, in P. Burstein (ed.), Equal Employment Opportunity: Labour Market Discrimination and Public Policy (Aldine De Gruyter, New York), pp. 85–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marotte, B.: 1992, ‘Equality Between the Sexes Sounds Very’ 90s, but Reality Reflects’ 50s’, Montreal Gazette, March 4, p. C5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, A.: 1993, ‘Working Women Gaining Equality: Labour Force total Hits 45%’, Globe and Mail, March 3, pp. A1 and A6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monroe, S.: 1991, ‘Des Affirmative Action Help or Hurt?’, Time 137(21), May 27, pp. 30–32. 74% Oppose Job Equity Programs, Gallup Poll Finds: 1993, Toronto Star, May 27, pp. 30-32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloane, P. J. and H. C. Jain: 1990, ‘Use of Equal Opportunities Legislation and Earnings Differentials: A Comparative Study’, Industrial Relations Journal 21, 221–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thibaut, J. and L. Walker: 1975, Procedural Justice: A Psychological Analysis (Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Women Suffer Setback in Labour-Market Equality: Recession Pushes Many out of Work-Force: 1993, Winnipeg Free Press, June 5, p. A9.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Falkenberg, L.E., Boland, L. (1997). Eliminating the Barriers to Employment Equity in the Canadian Workplace. In: Burke, R.J. (eds) Women in Corporate Management. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5610-3_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5610-3_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6364-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5610-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics