Building a Cross-Culturally Competent Workplace

Workplace culture is complex, and even more so when you are balancing paid staff with volunteers; trying to create a space where all feel encouraged to give their best, from any background. There are visible components like how employees / volunteers dress and the layout of the space. There are invisible components like expectations about punctuality and how to lead a department or team. This interactive workshop will give you practical tips for building a cross-culturally competent workplace.

Facilitator

Paul Pickering has been assisting employers and individuals with issues of immigration, cultural competence, diversity and inclusion since 1995. He holds the position of Coordinator, Workplace Culture at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia in Halifax (ISANS), and has worked there since 2012, providing workshops, Workplace Culture Assessments and other employer services. He draws from professional and personal experience living and working in the USA, The UK, South Korea, The Czech Republic and Estonia. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 2011. Paul has a BA in Cultural Anthropology, an MA in Communication Studies, and a Teaching Diploma in Lifelong Learning.

"Great, need you to come train our employers. Awesome!"

"Very helpful – brings to mind all values necessary to be inclusive in all facets of society, employment."

"Increased awareness, great discussion. Facilitation – will pass on information, discussion with co-workers."