Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
As a major employer, SDG 8 is reflected in Wilfrid Laurier University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, meaningful and productive work environment. We also advance SDG 8 by offering students real-world, hands-on training that will lead them to fulfilling future careers.
The work that Laurier completed in 2023 to advance SDG 8.
Laurier and the Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Association (WLUSA)/Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) reached a tentative deal for a renewal of the three- year collective agreement effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026.
Laurier and the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA) reached a tentative deal for a renewal of the three-year collective agreement for full-time faculty and librarians effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026.
Fatima Khan, a fourth-year User Experience Design program student, was named Laurier's 2022 Co-op Student of the Year after a 16-month term at the Ontario Digital Service, a division of the provincial government that works to improve online government services for Ontarians.
Tapas Vashi, an international student from India, chose Laurier’s Master of Applied Computing program, a two-year program with an eight-month paid co-op term, to help him gain work experience in Canada.
Laurier research centres advancing SDG 8.
In addition to promoting research within its academic networks, the Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis works with professional economists, government bodies and community stakeholders to advance our collective understanding of economic trends, policy applications, and other economic and social issues.
The Co-operators Centre for Business and Sustainability facilitates and coordinates research related to business and environmental sustainability. The centre ensures regular communication between researchers and practitioners, including strategic decision-makers in the local sustainability community. Located in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Laurier, the centre hosts seminars, conferences and roundtables to discuss relevant topics aligned with practitioner needs and assists in disseminating research findings in a timely fashion to those who can use them.
Laurier initiatives in 2023 that advanced SDG 8.
The local living wage, determined with consideration for the needs of a family of four, is established at $20.90 per hour in the Waterloo Region and $20.35 in Brantford. All unionized positions including faculty, teaching assistants, technical/professional staff and professional staff in non-unionized roles receive compensation that exceeds the established living wage. For example, the minimum hourly rate for WLUSA employees, Laurier’s largest employment group, as outlined in the WLUSA salary grid is $27.69.
Laurier recognizes the principles of freedom of association and collective bargaining for members of our community, regardless of identity. Current Laurier collective agreements include:
Laurier is strongly committed to complying with all relevant provincial and national legislation in place to prevent forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour. These include the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, Employment Standards Act and Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act.
Laurier is committed to the ethical treatment of all members of our community and has put in place a number of policies to affirm this. Laurier’s Ethical Purchasing Policy specifically outlines the institution’s commitment again forced labour and child labour.
Laurier is committed to conducting its business affairs in a socially responsible manner consistent with its educational mandate. This commitment extends to all parties at the institution and ensures that Laurier upholds labour rights, fair treatment and equitable conditions for all workers involved in our activities, regardless of whether they are employed directly by the university or by third-party entities. Therefore, Laurier contractors, suppliers and licensees must conduct their business in a manner consistent with, and follow workplace standards that adhere to, Laurier’s Environment and Occupational Safety Policy, Employment Equity Policy and Ethical Purchasing Policy. This commitment is outlined in Laurier’s Procurement and Tendering Policy, which supports the Ontario Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive, specifically the Supply Chain Code of Ethics, by ensuring ethical, efficient and accountable sourcing, contracting and purchasing activities within Laurier.
Laurier is committed to creating a culture of inclusion where all employees feel accepted and experience a sense of belonging. With a commitment to Indigenization and by embracing the values of equity, diversity and inclusion, Laurier is better equipped to attract, retain and advance a talented, diverse workforce that moves the university forward.
Laurier fully complies with the Ontario Pay Equity Act and its Employment Equity Policy outlines the institution’s commitment to removing barriers, including pay inequity, to employment equity. To achieve this, the university collects data from its staff and faculty to determine systemic barriers to employment equity. The data is presented in a workforce analysis. To maintain employment equity as outlined in its Employment Equity Policy, Laurier is committed to maintaining employment equity measures, including special programs and accommodations.
Laurier’s commitment to pay equity is further affirmed by the existence of the University Employment Equity Advisory Committee (UEEAC), which identifies barriers to employment equity, including pay disparity, and provides support and feedback to administration on resource development and initiative planning. The UEEAC is comprised of four working groups: Women and LGBTQ2S+ Working Group, Indigenous Persons Working Group, Persons with Disabilities Working Group and Racialized Persons Working Group.
Pay equity is further reinforced in the institution’s negotiated collective agreements, which include firm commitments to pay equity and established public pay scales for membership positions.
Laurier’s commitment to pay equity was demonstrated when the institution raised the salaries of female associate and full professors based on an analysis of gender-based salary differentials conducted by a joint university-union committee.
All Laurier staff and faculty have structured mechanisms to address pay-related concerns. Many of these processes are outlined in the employee respective collective agreement.
Discover how Laurier is contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets.
