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Equity, diversity and inclusion

At Desjardins, everyone is included, without exception. We're proud of the way our company reflects our members and clients through its diversity—a fundamental value that enriches our society.

Our differences make us stronger

As a financial cooperative and socioeconomic leader, we see diversity as a source of strength. We believe differences in gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, experience, sexual orientation and physical ability are meant to be celebrated.

Why equity, diversity and inclusion at work matter

By promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, we can better meet the needs of our members and clients, employees and communities.

How we support diverse groups


Inclusion is one of our defining values. We appreciate the differences that make each person unique.

Visible minorities, cultural communities and Indigenous people

We strive to represent the communities we serve. That's why we support initiatives that ensure our workforce is truly diverse.

Our efforts to promote an inclusive environment include:

Women

Women are an integral part of our organization. Our co-founder, Dorimène Desjardins, played a key role in the success of the cooperative at the turn of the 20th century.

Everyone should have access to opportunities for advancement. At Desjardins, we're committed to increasing the number of women in leadership positions. Currently, 59% of our managers are women.

We encourage women to develop their leadership potential and take on more responsibilities at work. Through our women's networking group, Empowering Women, our employees and directors can help each other, network and improve their skills.

Youth

We offer student jobs, part-time positions and paid internships in a variety of fields. Young people can benefit from a stimulating workplace where student schedules are accommodated. Our goal is to offer them a job at the end of their schooling.

Our Board Succession program gives individuals the chance to sit on a caisse board of directors (without voting rights). The interns get to work alongside board members and build a valuable network of professional contacts to help them further their career.

LGBTQ+ community

We foster a healthy, safe and respectful work environment where people of all identities and orientations can be themselves and reach their full potential.

For more than 10 years, our LGBTQ+ committee has been working to make Desjardins a more inclusive workplace by raising awareness and targeting issues that affect our staff, members and clients.

Description Transcript
Diversity makes us stronger

0 min 47 s | Added on June 14, 2021

We reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive environment for everyone in this video starring Desjardins employees and members.
Diversity makes us stronger (0 min 46 s)

Added on June 14, 2021 | Desjardins Group

Note: The information in brackets describes the audio and visual content of the video that is not dialogue or narration.

[Background music]

[A man looks at the camera.]

[On-screen text: Octavio, Desjardins employee. On-screen image: Symbol representing gay men.]

Octavio mouths along with the voiceover: Diversity makes us stronger.

[Sped-up images of Octavio from the side and then straight on. He smiles. A green Desjardins banner slides across the screen and is joined by banners in other colours to create a rainbow.]

[On-screen text: Michael, Desjardins employee. On-screen image: Symbol representing gay men.]

[Michael's face is bathed in rainbow-coloured lights.]

Michael mouths along with the voiceover: At Desjardins, our strength lies in our people.

[On-screen text: David, Desjardins member. On-screen image: Symbol representing gay men.]

[Michael and David, smiling, embrace each other.]

[On-screen text: Cyrille, Desjardins member. On-screen image: Symbol representing transgendered people.]

Cyrille mouths along with the voiceover: We listen and stand by them.

[Cyrille laughs.]

[On-screen text: Marjorie, Desjardins employee. On-screen image: Symbol representing bisexual people.]

Marjorie mouths along with the voiceover: Grow with them.

[Marjorie laughs. We see a close-up of her hand as she slides a ring down her ring finger.]

Voiceover: We always have.

[On-screen text: Sebastien, Desjardins member. On-screen image: Symbol representing gay men.]

Sebastien mouths along with the voiceover: We believe in a world where everyone can be themselves.

[Sebastien, wearing a suit, dances.]

[On-screen text: Sebastien / Barbada, Desjardins member]

[Sebastien performs in drag as Barbada.]

[On-screen text: Rosalie, Desjardins employee. On-screen image: Symbol representing lesbian women.]

Rosalie mouths along with the voiceover: Can love and be loved.

[On-screen text: Isabelle, Desjardins member. On-screen image: Symbol representing lesbian women.]

[On-screen text: Ema, Desjardins member]

[Rosalie and Isabelle have their arms wrapped around their daughter, Ema. They kiss her on the forehead.]

Voiceover: Can be treated equally and be true to themselves. Fully. Freely.

[One by one, Cyrille, Sebastien, Marjorie, Michael, Rosalie and Octavio look at the camera, smiling. Banners in the colours of the rainbow fill the screen. The background turns green.]

[On-screen text: Community and pride.]

[On-screen logo: Desjardins logo]

[Background music: Desjardins jingle]

End of transcript

Neurodiversity and disability

We are committed to ensuring everyone can benefit from our services. Our ATMs, buildings and websites are accessible.

We have processes and partnerships in place to facilitate the hiring and onboarding of neurodivergent individuals. We work with Action main-d'œuvre Inc., an organization that provides specialized employment assistance and job retention services to people with autism or intellectual disabilities.

We are also a partner of the Conseil québécois des entreprises adaptées, and we collaborate with companies that lead in disability inclusion in the workplace.

Working for an inclusive employer


We have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind and do everything in our power to enforce it daily by fighting racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and all other forms of hate.

Every executive division of our organization has an equity, diversity and inclusion ambassador in charge of various initiatives, including workshops on unconscious bias. Various committees allow our employees to take part in the conversation.

Our partners

Catalyst

Catalyst is a global non-profit that puts women first, working with large companies to build inclusive workplaces where women can excel.

Learn more about Catalyst - External link. This link will open in a new window.

Association of Quebec Women in Finance (AQWF)

The AQWF is an established association that offers women in the financial world the tools and leadership development opportunities to advance their careers through training and networking (site in French only).

Learn more about the Association of Quebec Women in Finance - External link. This link will open in a new window.

Pride at Work Canada

Our partner since 2011, this organization empowers employers to create an environment that celebrates all employees, regardless of their gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Learn more about Pride at Work Canada - External link. This link will open in a new window.

Fondation Émergence

This non-profit organization combats homophobia and transphobia through various initiatives, including the ProAlly program, which promotes safe and inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ+ people.

Learn more about Fondation Émergence - External link. This link will open in a new window.

Interligne

This first response centre provides help and information on matters of sexual orientation and gender diversity. We are a major sponsor of Interligne's youth services and an official presenter for the Gender, Identity and Sexuality Alliances (GISA) program (site in French only).

Learn more about Interligne - External link. This link will open in a new window.

Salon de l'immigration et de l'intégration au Québec

An annual event sponsored by Desjardins, the Salon has a wealth of resources for immigrants on working, studying and living in Quebec (site in French only).

Learn more about the Salon de l'immigration et de l'intégration au Québec (site in French only) - External link. This link will open in a new window.