Diversity Disconnect
Survey Consent

Diversity Disconnect Research Project – Survey Participant
Employers across Canada report serious challenges with hiring and maintaining workers, yet the unemployment rates for underrepresented groups, such as Indigenous peoples and persons with disabling conditions, remain high, especially within rural and remote communities. To investigate the factors helping and hindering the employment success from such groups, Free Rein Associates has partnered with Life Strategies Ltd., under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Roberta Borgen (Neault),. This study has been designed in accordance with Canada’s Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. The overarching goal is to gather insights and stories from representatives from underrepresented groups, whether they are seeking employment or are currently employed, and employers to bridge the disconnect.

The following provides important information on the research.
Please review this form in detail so you fully understand the research prior to agreeing to take part.

Participation Criteria:
We are seeking input from 3 groups – employers, employees, and job seekers – from 5 rural/remote communities (i.e., Hope, Agassiz, Ashcroft, Merritt, and Princeton).

You have selected the Employers survey.

Employers include owners, operators, supervisors, and/or managers from businesses/organizations operating within one of the identified communities or nearby regions.

Process:
This online survey is one component of the larger study. We estimate the survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. In the survey you will be asked to reflect on your experiences, including successes and challenges, and essential skills. You will also be invited to share basic demographic information. All questions are optional; you may choose to skip any questions and/or discontinue participation at any point by simply closing your web browser. You will only be asked to complete the questions relevant to your specific respondent type (i.e., job seeker, employee, or employer).

At the end of the survey, you will be invited to enter a prize draw and volunteer for a focus group in your area which will dig more deeply into your experiences.

Study Results:
The results of this study will inform best practices and service provision in your area. In addition to a final report submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada, the research team will seek to share summaries of the results at local and national conferences, within publications (such as academic journals), and through a limited series podcast.

Potential Risks:
Within this survey, you will be asked to describe experiences which may be uncomfortable, perhaps even painful. Your openness and authenticity within responses will greatly support the research team in understanding the unique experiences of job seekers, employees, and employers.

Potential Benefits:
Some possible benefits include feeling empowered in the ability to share your story (e.g., recalling your skills, strengths, and successes) and being heard and understood as a member of an underrepresented group and/or an employer navigating the employment continuum. In addition, you will be contributing your knowledge to improve the experience of underrepresented groups within the workplace.

Confidentiality & Anonymity:
Your confidentiality is important to us and will be respected throughout the research process. Identifying information (e.g., name/contact information) will be removed from the data set prior to analysis and responses will be coded with a participant number to preserve anonymity during analysis. All raw data will be destroyed by March 31, 2025.

Accommodations & Personal Supports:
We welcome advocates to support participants as they complete the survey. We are also happy to support alternative methods of completion through a paper-based version or through telephone.

If you wish to have support in completing the survey, please contact the Project Manager, Megan te Boekhorst (megan@freereinassociates.ca), to arrange for support provided through Free Rein Associates Training Ltd.

Remuneration:
At the end of the survey, participants in this study will be invited to enter into a draw for a Samsung Galaxy tablet, valued at $650. The prize winner will be selected at random at the end of the survey collection.

Contacts:
For more information about this study, please reach out to the Project Manager Megan te Boekhorst (megan@freereinassociates.ca) or Lead Researcher Roberta Borgen (info@lifestrategies.ca)

Participant Consent and Signature:
Please note: Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary. You have the right to refuse to participate in this study and to withdraw from this study at any time, with no reason required.

Submitting a survey indicates that you have reviewed this consent form and agree to participate in this study.

Diversity Disconnect Research Project – Survey Participant
Employers across Canada report serious challenges with hiring and maintaining workers, yet the unemployment rates for underrepresented groups, such as Indigenous peoples and persons with disabling conditions, remain high, especially within rural and remote communities. To investigate the factors helping and hindering the employment success from such groups, Free Rein Associates has partnered with Life Strategies Ltd., under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Roberta Borgen (Neault),. This study has been designed in accordance with Canada’s Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. The overarching goal is to gather insights and stories from representatives from underrepresented groups, whether they are seeking employment or are currently employed, and employers to bridge the disconnect.


The following provides important information on the research.


Please review this form in detail so you fully understand the research prior to agreeing to take part.


Participation Criteria:
We are seeking input from 3 groups – employers, employees, and job seekers – from 5 rural/remote communities (i.e., Hope, Agassiz, Ashcroft, Merritt, and Princeton).

You have selected the Employee survey.

Employees include individuals from one or more underrepresented groups (e.g., person with disabling conditions, Indigenous) working part-time, full-time, and/or through contract/seasonal work within a business/organization operating within one of the identified communities.

Process:
This online survey is one component of the larger study. We estimate the survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. In the survey you will be asked to reflect on your experiences, including successes and challenges, and essential skills. You will also be invited to share basic demographic information. All questions are optional; you may choose to skip any questions and/or discontinue participation at any point by simply closing your web browser. You will only be asked to complete the questions relevant to your specific respondent type (i.e., job seeker, employee, or employer).

At the end of the survey, you will be invited to enter a prize draw and volunteer for a focus group in your area which will dig more deeply into your experiences.

Study Results:
The results of this study will inform best practices and service provision in your area. In addition to a final report submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada, the research team will seek to share summaries of the results at local and national conferences, within publications (such as academic journals), and through a limited series podcast.

Potential Risks:
Within this survey, you will be asked to describe experiences which may be uncomfortable, perhaps even painful. Your openness and authenticity within responses will greatly support the research team in understanding the unique experiences of job seekers, employees, and employers.

Potential Benefits:
Some possible benefits include feeling empowered in the ability to share your story (e.g., recalling your skills, strengths, and successes) and being heard and understood as a member of an underrepresented group and/or an employer navigating the employment continuum. In addition, you will be contributing your knowledge to improve the experience of underrepresented groups within the workplace.

Confidentiality & Anonymity:
Your confidentiality is important to us and will be respected throughout the research process. Identifying information (e.g., name/contact information) will be removed from the data set prior to analysis and responses will be coded with a participant number to preserve anonymity during analysis. All raw data will be destroyed by March 31, 2025.

Accommodations & Personal Supports:
We welcome advocates to support participants as they complete the survey. We are also happy to support alternative methods of completion through a paper-based version or through telephone.

If you wish to have support in completing the survey, please contact the Project Manager, Megan te Boekhorst (megan@freereinassociates.ca), to arrange for support provided through Free Rein Associates Training Ltd.

Remuneration:
At the end of the survey, participants in this study will be invited to enter into a draw for a Samsung Galaxy tablet, valued at $650. The prize winner will be selected at random at the end of the survey collection.

Contacts:
For more information about this study, please reach out to the Project Manager Megan te Boekhorst (megan@freereinassociates.ca) or Lead Researcher Roberta Borgen (info@lifestrategies.ca)

Participant Consent and Signature:
Please note: Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary. You have the right to refuse to participate in this study and to withdraw from this study at any time, with no reason required.

Submitting a survey indicates that you have reviewed this consent form and agree to participate in this study.

Diversity Disconnect Research Project – Survey Participant
Employers across Canada report serious challenges with hiring and maintaining workers, yet the unemployment rates for underrepresented groups, such as Indigenous peoples and persons with disabling conditions, remain high, especially within rural and remote communities. To investigate the factors helping and hindering the employment success from such groups, Free Rein Associates has partnered with Life Strategies Ltd., under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Roberta Borgen (Neault),. This study has been designed in accordance with Canada’s Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. The overarching goal is to gather insights and stories from representatives from underrepresented groups, whether they are seeking employment or are currently employed, and employers to bridge the disconnect.


The following provides important information on the research.


Please review this form in detail so you fully understand the research prior to agreeing to take part.


Participation Criteria:
We are seeking input from 3 groups – employers, employees, and job seekers – from 5 rural/remote communities (i.e., Hope, Agassiz, Ashcroft, Merritt, and Princeton).

You have selected the Job Seeker survey.

Job Seekers include individuals from one or more underrepresented groups (e.g., person with disabling conditions, Indigenous) currently unemployed and actively seeking part-time, full-time, and/or contract/seasonal work within a business/organization operating within one of the identified communities. Although we recognize that currently employed individuals may be actively seeking employment elsewhere, we ask that you join the “employee” category if you are employed in any capacity.

Process:
This online survey is one component of the larger study. We estimate the survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. In the survey you will be asked to reflect on your experiences, including successes and challenges, and essential skills. You will also be invited to share basic demographic information. All questions are optional; you may choose to skip any questions and/or discontinue participation at any point by simply closing your web browser. You will only be asked to complete the questions relevant to your specific respondent type (i.e., job seeker, employee, or employer).

At the end of the survey, you will be invited to enter a prize draw and volunteer for a focus group in your area which will dig more deeply into your experiences.

Study Results:
The results of this study will inform best practices and service provision in your area. In addition to a final report submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada, the research team will seek to share summaries of the results at local and national conferences, within publications (such as academic journals), and through a limited series podcast.

Potential Risks:
Within this survey, you will be asked to describe experiences which may be uncomfortable, perhaps even painful. Your openness and authenticity within responses will greatly support the research team in understanding the unique experiences of job seekers, employees, and employers.

Potential Benefits:
Some possible benefits include feeling empowered in the ability to share your story (e.g., recalling your skills, strengths, and successes) and being heard and understood as a member of an underrepresented group and/or an employer navigating the employment continuum. In addition, you will be contributing your knowledge to improve the experience of underrepresented groups within the workplace.

Confidentiality & Anonymity:
Your confidentiality is important to us and will be respected throughout the research process. Identifying information (e.g., name/contact information) will be removed from the data set prior to analysis and responses will be coded with a participant number to preserve anonymity during analysis. All raw data will be destroyed by March 31, 2025.

Accommodations & Personal Supports:
We welcome advocates to support participants as they complete the survey. We are also happy to support alternative methods of completion through a paper-based version or through telephone.

If you wish to have support in completing the survey, please contact the Project Manager, Megan te Boekhorst (megan@freereinassociates.ca), to arrange for support provided through Free Rein Associates Training Ltd.

Remuneration:
At the end of the survey, participants in this study will be invited to enter into a draw for a Samsung Galaxy tablet, valued at $650. The prize winner will be selected at random at the end of the survey collection.

Contacts:
For more information about this study, please reach out to the Project Manager Megan te Boekhorst (megan@freereinassociates.ca) or Lead Researcher Roberta Borgen (info@lifestrategies.ca)

Participant Consent and Signature:
Please note: Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary. You have the right to refuse to participate in this study and to withdraw from this study at any time, with no reason required.

Submitting a survey indicates that you have reviewed this consent form and agree to participate in this study.