Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges Charting Unique to Racialized Employees in Today’s Workplace

Most employees that enter the workplace rarely think about what their rights are and how to ensure that their employment safety is being attended to from the legal side. It is often assumed that if there was information that required knowing, that it would be shared by the employer. However, this is not the case - it is extremely important that one knows what their rights are when it comes to their employment so that it can be exercised if needed and so that employers can be held accountable if necessary. 

This presentation discusses the challenges and barriers faced by racialized and visible minority professionals in the workplace. It covers biases in recruitment and promotion, microaggressions, tokenism, cultural fit, stereotyping, prejudice, lack of diversity in leadership, and workplace isolation.

What You'll Learn

• Understanding Key Concepts: Attendees will gain a clear understanding of essential legal concepts such as evidence, notice and accommodation and how they impact racialized/visible minority professionals in the workplace.
• Navigating Legal Frameworks: Participants will become familiar with the legal frameworks and policies surrounding employment discrimination and human rights claims in Ontario, including the Ontario Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, and other relevant legislation.
• Recognizing Challenges and Barriers: Attendees will learn to identify the various challenges and barriers that racialized/visible minority professionals may face in the workplace, such as biases in recruitment and hiring and lack of representation in leadership roles.

Speaker Bio

As a former advisor to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Taayo knows how to resolve complex legal issues.

Taayo firmly believes in a client-first approach that demands communication, preparation, and execution. His passion for advocacy has led to many successful decisions before the Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, various tribunals, and administrative bodies. Taayo also serves as legal counsel to several small businesses and startups.

His commitment to helping others extends beyond the courtroom. Taayo is the President of the Gwen Simmonds Foundation, a registered charity committed to alleviating poverty and empowering women by providing bursaries to single mothers enrolled in post-secondary studies. He is also the Founder and CEO of GetJustice, a web application that helps Canadians prepare and file court documents online.

He obtained a B.A. in Political Science with Honours and his law degree at Dalhousie University. Taayo is licensed to practise law in Ontario and is a member of the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society.

He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, County of Carleton Lawyers Association, and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers

Session Worksheet

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