Thought Leadership

Written By: Sophie Warwick. Through our consulting at The Thoughtful Co., we have the privilege to have important discussions about equity in the workplace with folks at all points in their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) journeys. Sometimes we have conversations with people who are very early in their journey, and that are potential even actively resistant to EDI efforts. The assumption is often that these are negative conversations. Of course, they have the potential

Written by: Jillian Climie. When you hear the words "HR policy" and "structure," excitement might not be the first emotion that comes to mind. Often, these concepts conjure up feelings of restriction and frustration. After all, we want to do our best work, and HR policies can sometimes seem like barriers. But the reality is that setting up effective HR structures not only allows us to focus on what really matters but also helps us make better decisions. Here’s how. It saves l

Written by: Sophie Warwick When we work with clients, I’m often asked, “how do I bring someone on board who is new to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) discussion?” EDI is a journey, and organizations are typically comprised of folks who are at different points on that journey. The clash in foundational education and lived experience can sometimes lead to comments that seem insensitive or unproductive. They may not come from a place of ill intent, but instead from a

Written By: Jillian Climie. At work, we're juggling a multitude of tasks – managing projects, completing deliverables, leading meetings, coaching colleagues, and more. We're consistently adding value, so it's natural to assume that everyone around us knows about all the incredible things we’re doing, right? Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Our colleagues, and especially our leaders, are busy with their own responsibilities. This is why it's crucial to consistently c

Written by: Sophie Warwick Family planning has its challenges, and as a first-time expectant mother I’m sure I’m only just scratching the surface of a lifetime of learning. As a self-employed expectant parent, I’ve recently uncovered the web of confusion around access to parental leave for self-employed Canadians. And let me tell you, it has not been a straightforward journey. It even included a call to the CRA where the representative responded, “I have no idea. We’ve never

By Jillian Climie. I’ve been through a lot of compensation negotiations, both on the side of the company as well as supporting the individual who is negotiating, and I’ve seen many people missing out on quick wins. And unfortunately, these missed opportunities could have had a big impact on the final dollar amount they received.  These are my top items you do not want to forget when entering a compensation negotiation.  1) Sign-on bonuses. These are by far the highest impact,