Creating an Effective Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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Life works well in your organization when you give employees the chance to be who they are unapologetically. Being an Equal Opportunity Employer creates a space for growth for everyone regardless of if they have a disability. 

Equal Opportunity Employers (EOE) are defined as employers who agree not to discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, colour, religion, national origin, sex, age, or physical or mental disability. Equal Opportunity Employers aim to create an environment that offers equal chances to achieve inclusivity and diversity so that everyone is included. 

According to the Employment Equity Act of Canada, having equal opportunities in place aims to correct the conditions of disadvantages faced by those with disabilities and visible minorities. Not only does employment equity mean to treat everyone in the same way in the workplace, but it also means that special measures are required and accommodation of differences should be implemented to help everyone excel. We need to explore this more in the future, because there are differences between equality and equity and the policy/law makers are also reviewing whether the “equal opportunity” approach still makes sense. 

However, for now having an Equal Opportunity Employer statement is the best way for organizations to show that they strive for an inclusive workplace.  For more information on how to create an effective Equal Opportunity Employer statement, keep reading! 

1. Know the Law

While it is recommended to write your Equal Opportunity Employer statement in a voice that sounds more personal to those who will be reading it, it is crucial to make sure you understand what laws need to be covered in your statement. Consulting a Lawyer is recommended to ensure that you are covering all of the legal requirements to create an effective Equal Opportunity Employer statement. Once you consult a Lawyer and understand what is necessary to include in your statement, you can format it so it is easy for other applicants or clients to understand too. 

Along with this, while reviewing the laws and recent legislation changes, you can also use this as a chance to update your policies to make your organization more accommodating to those who might require assistance and make your policies align with your statement. By understanding the law, you will gain more insight into what needs to be changed to create inclusivity. 

2. Be Authentic

If you are saying that you want an inclusive environment in your organization’s Equal Opportunity Employer statement, you should be saying it like you mean it instead of just spouting legal terms to get your point across. An example of this can be writing your Equal Opportunity Employer statement in the first-person perspective instead of the third-person perspective to give your statement a more personal feel to the person reading it. Having a more personal approach towards your statement helps the reader connect with the message and makes them feel that the statement was written for humans, by humans, instead of sounding too formal or robotic.

Authenticity is important when creating an Equal Opportunity Employer statement because being able to communicate how you are trying to help your employees and what opportunities you are trying to offer can create a higher level of trust. Also, showing potential employees and your current employees that you are serious about the changes in your organization will make your employees feel all the more comfortable and understood.

3. Emphasize Diversity 

An Equal Opportunity Employer statement should show the importance of diversity and creating a diverse workplace. Demonstrating your desire for diversity in the workplace should not just be fluff, but it should encourage people who are disabled or identify as visible minorities to apply for a job at your organization by showing you care for their well-being. 

Some ways you can promote your organization’s drive for diversity in your Equal Opportunity Employer statement is by choosing to use more descriptive words or even active language in your statement to make it more memorable and stand out from the rest. Showing that your organization is actively trying to create a diverse workplace will not only help to attract employees but will also give them a work environment that they know they will feel included in. 

4. Come Back to Your Values.

Values are the core of many organizations. Your Equal Opportunity Employer statement should align with your organization’s values and not just be something that is stated for the sake of having it in your organization. Having values gives your employees something to hold onto, gives them purpose, and creates meaning in being a part of the team. 

Being able to explain your organization’s vision and values and tie them into your statement can show new applicants what your organization stands for and the type of work environment you are trying to create. Having a set of values and incorporating them into your Equal Opportunity Employer statement can also show your vision for diversity and inclusion and how your organization is ultimately working towards that goal. 

5. Explain What your EOE Applies To

When implementing an Equal Opportunity Employer statement, many organizations take the additional step to mention which practices that their statement applies to. According to The Society for Human Resource Management, policies of anti-discrimination and equal employment opportunity should apply to departments or processes such as:

• Recruitment

• Employment

• Promotion

• Transfer

• Training

• Working Conditions

• Wages and salary administration

• Employee benefits and application of policies

By identifying which departments and areas your Equal Opportunity Employer practices and policies apply to, you can keep your job applicants informed about where your statement applies and how it will affect them once they join your organization and shows that you are being clear and transparent about how these policies are applied within the organization.

Creating an Equal Opportunity Employer statement might just be what your organization needs to show future potential employees that your organization will welcome them into your organization’s culture. By implementing an Equal Opportunity Employer statement, your organization will be one step closer to creating the inclusivity and diversity that many employees dream of. 

As the world is evolving, we must also think about how we may need to be equitable first before we can move to true equality.