Holland Bloorview is embarking on a comprehensive sociodemographic data collection initiative for all employees beginning June 27. All staff will be required to complete a confidential sociodemographic survey. This initiative helps to fuel the hospital’s strategic plan goal around growing and fostering a healthy team that truly reflects the diverse communities we serve.

The collection of sociodemographic data (e.g. racial identity, gender identity) from employees on an ongoing basis is aimed at fostering an inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible and anti-racist workplace. These surveys are an extension of the work we began in January with ‘We ask because we care’ – the collection of sociodemographic information from clients and families, followed by the collection of sociodemographic data for job applicants which launched on February 26.

The collection of sociodemographic data from staff was a key recommendation from the Black Experience Report, completed in March 2023 by Dr. Notisha Massaquoi, an independent, highly respected expert on anti-Black racism, to help us better understand the experience of Black employees at all levels of the hospital. It is a central component of our anti-Black racism action plan.

"The collection of sociodemographic data is an important step in our journey to confront and address workplace racism, discrimination and ableism," says Julia Hanigsberg, president and CEO, Holland Bloorview. "While data collection is not the sole solution, it provides a lens into who we are today as an organization and will help inform who we want to become and how we will get there."

About sociodemographic data collection at Holland Bloorview

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is committed to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible and anti-racist environment for all clients, families, and staff. We believe that every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or ability, deserves the opportunity to fully contribute, participate, and thrive within our community. As outlined in our strategic plan, our goals include empowering a healthy team and providing care that’s socially accountable. The collection of sociodemographic data fuels the goal to foster and attract a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. It also fuels the goal to better understand and support the unique social needs of each family we serve. For more information, visit our inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and anti-racism (IDEAA) webpage here, under "Sociodemographic data collection."