Let’s raise a glass to International Women’s Day and to the women on our team! This year, we reached out to some of our amazing leaders and asked them why this year’s theme, #BreakTheBias, is important and how they tackle it.
Katherine Detlor, General Manager, JAK’s 41st
I like to break the bias by challenging gender norms and by always asking why. Ideas like ‘blue is for boys and pink is for girls’, or gender reveal parties, or who wears dresses vs pants, or who drives pallet jacks and load 53ft truck trailers – everyone has an unconscious picture when they imagine what the person looks like associated with any of those things.
I like to challenge these thought patterns by dressing how I want to and not how I am “expected" to dress as a woman. Before working for JAK’s, I drove forklifts and pallet jacks, and worked physically demanding jobs. I didn’t let any of the weird looks or stares from people bother me.
Now, it's a little different but I still get into similar situations. When a guest says "I need a girly gift", I don't assume to know what the answer is by going over to the vodka coolers or wine sections. I remind them that what someone drinks doesn't define them and it isn't important to know what someone's gender is or how they identify themselves – what is important is what they like to drink, so let's start there. I also hear comments like, "Why do you dress like a boy?", but I don't actually dress like a boy, I'm just wearing clothes. Why is it acceptable for men to wear kilts but when a man wears a skirt he's looked at differently? And pink is just a colour and colours don't belong to anyone, it just exists.
These are the questions I love to pose because truthfully, many may not have thought about it before and just accepted it as it was.
Carla Ladeira, Director of Human Resources
Breaking the bias means supporting and highlighting the accomplishments of other women and this is something I strive to do in my everyday life at work. Bias is reduced when women are represented in high-level positions, not because they are women, but because they are capable. It's about seeing women as equally capable of succeeding in any career they choose. Being in HR gives me the opportunity to shine a light on DEI initiatives such as auditing our own pay equity to ensure that we are identifying and removing gender bias and educating on subconscious bias. I feel grateful to be in a position to positively affect the work and careers of other women.
Rebecca Allary, Leadership Development Coach, JAK’s Discovery Harbour
Breaking the bias to me looks like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, not just in the workplace, but in all areas. We live in a very diverse country, so every day at work I do my best to empower everyone to be open-minded and open-hearted to others, whether it be guests or colleagues. JAK's is an inclusive company in every aspect – it has even helped me overcome a lot of unconscious bias I had prior to joining the JAK's family.
Melodie Bottura, Assistant Manager JAK’s Penticton
Breaking the bias comes from the reflection process we do, and it happens over time. Reflecting on situations help us grow as people, but it also increases our capacity to learn. In my past years working at JAK’s, I've realized we sometimes take things for granted, but that doesn’t mean it should stay that way. We have to be aware of where people are coming from to make sure everyone feels included.
Laurence Sigouin-Derion, General Manager JAK’s Cherry Lane
I break the bias by constantly challenging myself to learn and be self-aware of the unconscious bias that I may have. JAK's is a multicultural work environment and it is amazing to be surrounded by people who are different from one another. It gives me a chance to have many open discussions with colleagues, learn from each member of our organization, and even change my perspective.
JAK's has taken many steps to help us challenge our unconscious biases. Each week we have leadership calls with guest speakers like Steve Farber, Glodean Champion, Dorothea Hendriks and read books like Limitless and The Person You Mean to Be (How Good People Fight Bias) to educate us and break any biases that could be part of our day to day life. What makes me passionate about tackling biases is that I got to know each member of my team so well! We are not afraid to have more meaningful conversations and to share our passions and ideas. By digging deeper, it created such a fun and healthy work environment and JAK's feel like a family!
Christina Young, Talent Acquisition and Training Manager
I break the bias by, first and foremost, working on myself! Through education, reflection, and asking yourself the tough questions to acknowledge how your own bias is entangled throughout your life. As the Talent Acquisition and Training Manager, I strongly believe a diverse group of individuals creates diverse perspectives and solutions, that will only make oneself and our organization better. At JAK’s we stand firm in our commitment of gender equality and continue to understand the intersectionality of our people to create safe, fun and inclusive environments for all to shine.
At JAK’s education is a huge part of what we do, whether it be product knowledge or leadership training – DEI has been no exception. Over the past year, we have attended multiple DEI workshops, learning from amazing trailblazers in this field such as Goldean Champion, and reading books such as The Person You Mean to Be by Dolly Chugh to help facilitate important and necessary discussions. I’m grateful to work in an organization filled with women that are fearless in leaning into difficult conversations and are committed to #breakthebias! I am constantly in awe of the amazing women at JAK's. We are stronger, together!