The Temiskaming IERG is a workplace initiative designed to support employers, staff, and locals of diverse religious backgrounds in our growing community. Employers and Employees in the area want to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace and community to attract and retain the best workers. As religious or spiritual ties are among the first ways many people identify themselves and connect to community, the IERG is a way to help new an existing workers of diverse belief backgrounds to feel confident and comfortable at work, which benefits them and their workplace. 

Monthly Lunch-and-Learn Meetings

Monthly IERG sessions provide community building and professional development opportunities that employers and staff can attend together. It is a gathering across businesses to learn about and connect with religious, spiritual, and non-religious groups and individuals.

The format for lunch and learns in 2023 is to invite a guest speaker or host an activity associated with the monthly topic. To participate, employers are required to contribute an annual registration fee to cover event costs and ensure that at least one employee in senior management and one non-management employee participate on behalf of their organization. 

Register with TSACC staff to participate. 

2023 Monthly IERG Schedule

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Faith and Belief Friendly Certification

Studies have shown that employees are more committed to their workplaces and better contribute to their work when they feel their employer is committed to valuing and advancing employee diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Building on that reality, the Working Together: Engaging Faith and Belief at Work Certification is a credential that demonstrates an employer's commitment to DEI for employees of all religious and belief identities. The Certification creates a process to help employers support employees to work effectively while also living in accordance with their beliefs in ways that do not create undue burden on the workplace.

Locally certified businesses:

• Keepers of the Circle
• Temiskaming Shores & Area Chamber of Commerce
• demora Construction
• The Temiskaming Lodge
• Haileybury Beach Motel
• Temiskaming Art Gallery
• Temiskaming Shores Public Library
• Boart Longyear

Individuals in the following local organizations are also certified:

• Primerica
• District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board
• Timiskaming Health Unit
• City of Temiskaming Shores
• Ministry of Northern Development
• Ministry of Economic Development

Robyn 's Testimonial

I took the training to increase my level of community engagement and build upon a deeper global understanding of religious literacy in the workplace. It was a true joy to meet other like-minded community members and to be part of this training opportunity led by a most professional, organized and productive team of trainers. The face-to-face (with a flexible virtual option) meeting space was comfortable and friendly. The meeting refreshments were thoughtful and appreciated! During the in-depth training sessions, I received the program guidelines and agenda in a timely manner.  As an adult learner, I appreciated all of the hands-on learning and round table discussions in the break out groups. I particularly enjoyed reviewing the accurate community research. This provided the participants with a true picture of our socio-economic landscape and opportunities for growth in our community.  As a participant, I felt very engaged and included in the process of the belief and faith friendly policy writing task and our final presentation. 
I encourage workplaces and community members to consider investing their time into this expansive training on faith and belief friendly workplaces.

Barry's Testimonial 

Currently my work environment has expanded to include people of many different faiths and beliefs. This is a change from my historical working career. This course provided an avenue to explore how to engage with others about their beliefs. The course framework shows how to build discussions and accommodations for individuals of different faiths in the work environment. This base provides me with tools to understand my coworkers better, leading to more effective communication, and a harmonious workplace

TAmmy's testimonial

It had always been challenging for me to be faith and belief-friendly in my career but this training helped me learn how to be a better leader. It provided a more diverse education on various religious holidays and experiences. Now, my main goal and purpose is to be kind, make an outstanding difference in the lives of others, and be an empowering leader to show staff that it's alright to be who you are without judgment. In my role as HR, you need to be able to be open and accommodate within reasonable accommodations, become an active listener, show empathy, and most of all find ways to let staff know you are there for them. This training can provide ways of knowing that some might not always feel comfortable with, or are shy to share but it helps us engage and involve staff by letting them know that they are welcome to bring their whole self to work

Vimla's testimonial

Shannon's Testimonial

​At first, I felt like we were being asked to do too much in a small amount of time. But overtime, I realized how we can create small steps that help the bigger picture

Carrie's Testimonial

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Community Partners