For Nicole Semenoff, advisor on BCLC’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging team, the flexibility to substitute statutory holidays for days of personal importance, through the organization’s Inclusive Holiday Program, has been a game-changer.
“Last year I substituted Easter Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day – a day that is significant to me and my cultural background,” said Semenoff. “It was impactful to have the flexibility to choose to celebrate a day that aligns with my values.”
Beyond being a participant in the program, Nicole was also instrumental in its development, execution and launch in November 2023. Along with her Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging teammates, Nicole helped build out the program’s framework – helping put together what would eventually become the first flexible approach to holiday substitutions to be introduced by a B.C. Crown corporation.
“The primary motivation behind this program was to re-envision our approach to statutory holidays with our vibrant and diverse employee culture top-of-mind,” said Semenoff. “Offering employees the flexibility to observe holidays that are meaningful to them, whether for cultural, religious or personal reasons, and ensuring individual values and beliefs across the organization were acknowledged and celebrated was imperative in its design and implementation.”
As part of the program, employees are offered the flexibility to substitute up to six BCLC-observed statutory holidays in a calendar year — with the one exception being the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in line with its commitment to lasting and meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Semenoff acknowledges that BCLC has a goal of creating a barrier-free organization, which requires building and embedding inclusive policies, processes and structures to promote a safe, equitable environment.
“This program is an important piece of this work,” she said.
As BCLC approaches the one-year anniversary of the program, Nicole and team are celebrating its early successes – including positive impacts on employee retention and satisfaction metrics and participant feedback on how the program has increased their sense of connection to BCLC’s inclusive culture.
“Employees across the organization have opted to collectively substitute a total of 30 days since the program first launched and the feedback has been really positive. Participants are noting that it adds to the feeling of being seen and valued in the workplace,” said Semenoff.
As for her, Semenoff looks forward to continued participation in the program, and encouraging others to take part, if and when it can be of value.
“It was a full-circle moment to utilize the program myself and see firsthand the value in offering this program for our employees,” said Semenoff. “
To learn more about how BCLC is working to advance diversity, inclusion and belonging, visit corporate.bclc.com.
