Motivational Keynote Speaker
Stephen Hammond-Motivational Keynote Speaker,Business Keynote Speaker,Convention Keynote Speaker
Human Rights Calendar
Today is:  Sat, 04 - Feb, 2012: 
This day in 1906...
Gladys Strum, pioneer in Saskatchewan and Canadian politics, was born  Read More...

Gladys Grace Mae Lamb was born on February 4, 1906 in Gladstone, Manitoba. At 16, she became a teacher in Saskatchewan, where she met her husband Warner Strum. Early in their marriage, Warner contracted tuberculosis and Gladys got an understanding of the deficiencies in Canada?s health care system. During travels to New Zealand, Strum gained an appreciation for that country?s progressive health care practices, which prompted her to get involved in the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) party in Canada. Although defeated in her bids for the legislature in 1938 and 1944 (the latter by six votes to Premier Patterson), Strum was actively involved in Canada?s first socialist government when Tommy Douglas became premier in the June 1944 election. The Saskatchewan CCF elected Strum president, making her the first woman president of a political party in Canada. The following year, she was elected the CCF Member of Parliament for Qu?Appelle, Saskatchewan, the only woman in the House of Commons during that session and the fifth woman MP elected to Ottawa. Among other achievements, Strum was successful in convincing the speaker of Parliament that women need no longer wear hats or handkerchiefs in the gallery. She was also famous for her line, ?No one has ever objected to women working; the only thing they have ever objected to is paying women for working.? Strum was defeated in 1949. However, she made her way back into politics in 1960 as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislature from Saskatoon. During that session she was proud to vote for the legislation that created Canada?s first socialized medical system. Strum died in Penticton, B.C. on August 15, 2005.

Stephen Hammond-Motivational Keynote Speaker,Business Keynote Speaker,Convention Keynote Speaker

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There are many workplace challenges facing Canadians. From observations while working in the field of workplace and community human rights over many years, Stephen Hammond has chosen what he considers the top 10. These video transcripts are intended to start a dialogue. If you find one that can help your workplace or your association, please use it. Print out the text, have a discussion, and try to come to resolutions that can be helpful to your group. The best way to deal with workplace challenges is to talk about them in a respectful way.

These are also available as Videos on the Human Rights Training Store for $14.95 each or all 10 for $97. They will be invaluable to you in your workplace.
Fearful of Changing Values? - Workplace Challenge One by Stephen Hammond
Fearful of changing values
Many Canadians think their fundamental values are under pressure because of some people coming to Canada. How do you address concerns, without being seen as being intolerant of others? This challenge encourages Canadians to look at values and changes from a different perspective
Speaking Different Languages at Work - Workplace Challenge Two by Stephen Hammond
People speaking different languages at work
People speaking different languages at work can be one of the most contentious issues to address. If you want to avoid insult, indignation (even banner headlines) consider simple and common sense approaches to handle this sometimes, delicate issue.
Speaking about Culture, Race, Religion - Workplace Challenge Three by Stephen Hammond
Concern of actually speaking about culture, race, religion, etc. for fear this will be seen as bigoted
Canada is home to people from all over the world. We come from different cultures, and religions (or none at all) and we have various colours of skin. Instead of being afraid to discuss these differences, find sensible ways when and how these differences can be addressed.


Hiring a "Different" Person - Discipline, Firing and the Human Rights Commission - Workplace Challenge Four by Stephen Hammond
Hiring a “different” person and if things go wrong, they can’t correct, discipline, or fire them, for fear of the employee going to the human rights commission
So many Canadians are “different” that it shouldn’t matter. Unfortunately, discrimination still exists for persons who are different from the grandparents of many Canadians. Find ways to ensure your workplace isn’t adding to that discrimination and instead is addressing it.


Top Ten Harassment Workplace Challenges
Not hiring women for fear they will go on parental leave.
One of the biggest areas of discrimination against women in the workplace relates to women having children, or the mere chance a woman may have children. You can find ways to address this issue and to ensure women and men are given the same opportunities, regardless of parental status.


Fear of Not Knowing How to Respond to an Insensitive Comment or Conduct at Work - Workplace Challenge Six by Stephen Hammond
Fear of not knowing how to respond to an insensitive comment or conduct at work (supervisors and managers won’t know what to do because they aren’t experts in human rights)
Workplace human rights issues pop up everywhere. Sometimes they’re subtle. Other times not so subtle. Supervisors and others in the workplace don’t have to be experts in human rights to address these issues. In fact, relying on common sense will go a long way.


When an Employee Meets With Some Discrimination, this Employee Wants Someone Fired - Workplace Challenge Seven by Stephen Hammond
When an employee meets with some discrimination, this employee wants someone fired (for example) and the employer doesn’t think firing is a reasonable response
Many employers face the dilemma of protecting an employee who is discriminated or harassed while ensuring any “punishment” is done within reason and the law. Sometimes it’s a balancing act and not an easy one. If an employee thinks there should be more severe discipline, consider some common sense approaches that might help.


Top Ten Harassment Workplace Challenges
Getting leaders and employees throughout the organization to effectively and simply, deal with inappropriate comments as they arise. i.e. getting people to stick their necks out.
If you have a workplace where employees feel comfortable to speak up and resolve issues on their own, then you’re ahead of most places where people fear sticking their necks out. Consider some approaches that can help to get everyone to address conflict and speak their mind…respectfully.


Understanding the Need to "Accommodate" Employees when the Law Requires an Employer to do so - Workplace Challenge Nine by Stephen Hammond
Understanding the need to “accommodate” employees when the law requires an employer to do so
The “duty to accommodate” is one of the most difficult areas of human rights and employment law, not just because it can be complex, but because it grates against many people’s ideals of “one rule for all”. Yet most circumstances won’t be complex at all and a bit of understanding and education goes a long way.


Knowing that Similar Words or Actions Can Have Different Impact on People at Work - Workplace Challenge Ten by Stephen Hammond

Knowing that similar words or actions can have a different impact on people at work
If you like the idea of acknowledging and at times, celebrating our differences, then why do some differences get us into trouble? Often people will look at things in different ways at work and that can cause problems. Do you have to avoid “sex, politics and religion”? Find out how differences can be resolved.