Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2023):
By Kristina Leung and Stephanie Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 6, 2023)
Here are some of the reasons why Ecolab Co. was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2023):
- Ecolab's diversity goals for 2030 include a commitment to maintaining pay equity through regular audits and increasing gender diversity of management to 35 per cent or more -- monthly scorecards are shared with each business and region to track progress and ensure accountability, as well as reports to track executive and management-level hires
- As part of the company's efforts to achieve its diversity goals, Ecolab provides interview training on unconscious bias in hiring and expectations for diverse slates of candidates
All employees grow in Ecolab’s inclusive culture
Samer Loubieh began working with Ecolab Co. seven years ago in Dubai. When his family moved to Canada, he was thankful to be hired at Ecolab Canada.
“I’ve been encouraged to grow and develop with this company,” says Loubieh, senior marketing manager for Ecolab Canada’s institutional division. “The company does all it can to help me reach my potential. I work with colleagues who have been here 35 years. People feel valued.”
Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions. Working with customers in more than 40 industries, the company helps them to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, operate efficiently and achieve sustainability goals.
“Our focus on building diverse teams isn’t new,” says Chandan Kler, human resources director, Ecolab Canada. “It reflects our longstanding values of working together with diverse perspectives to challenge ourselves, reach our goals and do what’s right.”
Kler says Ecolab’s approach includes leadership commitment and accountability; awareness and education; and embedding diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the associate experience. The company sets goals, measures its programs and provides progress updates internally through a monthly scorecard.
“The inclusive experience at Ecolab begins with recruitment and continues through the circle of the life of an employee,” says Kler.
To start, recruiters work to find a diverse slate of candidates, and the interview panel reflects diverse perspectives and a gender balance from within the organization. Questions and position profiles are reviewed annually to ensure they are inclusive.
Once hired, employees are supported to participate in employee resource groups (ERGs) as a member or ally of various communities. ERG meetings are scheduled on the work calendar and management encourages staff to take the time to participate.
Loubieh belongs to an ERG focused on diversity. EcoMondo is made up of members from Ecolab employees participating in ‘Movember’ to raise awareness for men’s health. around the world who share experiences and learn from each other. They may also ask, or be asked, to provide education for others, or to translate or introduce someone from their country to the organization.
Every meeting begins with an inclusion and diversity moment. Someone shares a best practice, an experience, a tip or a story. “And that is every meeting in the organization, not just ERGs,” says Loubieh.
All employees have the opportunity to take courses on topics such as allyship and unconscious bias through Ecolab’s intranet. The number of people participating in these courses is on the rise.
And employees are supported to develop in other ways, both internal and external. A few years ago, Loubieh asked to take a two-week Six Sigma course to advance his work and career. Ecolab sent him to take the program.
“Now I manage a team and when someone asks for development, I have an opportunity to support them,” says Loubieh.
Loubieh was promoted to senior manager within a year of working with Ecolab Canada. “I was able to build a strong marketing team in a short time,” he says. “When your performance is good, you are recognized and promoted, no matter where you are in the organization.”
Kler has found working with Ecolab to be an amazing experience with opportunities to meet, be mentored by and share practices with people across the globe.
Loubieh agrees. “At Ecolab, I’ve had mentors and I’ve mentored. It’s in the company DNA that leaders expect and welcome employees to reach out. They have an open door.”
