Women comprise nearly half of Canada's workforce, but over the last two decades, they have made no progress in obtaining senior management roles. This lack of success may deter younger women from entering certain professions and from learning from role models. Furthermore, research shows that a lack of diversity can affect retention, productivity, and innovation. Companies with more female senior managers have a higher return on equity than those with lower rates of female senior managers. With this research in mind, CP Rail undertook three initiatives to increase the number of women managers:

• Each department must have diversity goals.
• Mentoring programs for females have been established.
• Senior women discuss their careers in forums.
• Women on Track offers networking opportunities.

To date, the program has been successful, with the number of women in senior management doubling over 5 years.

Questions

1. Compare CP Rail’s initiatives to advance women with the recommended six-step program for the implementation of employment equity.
2. Review the list in Highlights in HRM 3.1 (retention strategies). What more could CP Rail undertake?