It's always something

Now Indigenous leaders are calling for special treatment in the workplace.  Sarah Jackknife, founder of 'Jackknife Consulting' and lecturer in Indigenous Policy at the University of Calgary, is accusing white workplaces of not making special provisions for native staff.

Ms. Jackknife, clearly delusional.

Really?!

She says that workplaces need to listen to Indigenous employees and, "Understand their unique experiences and challenges.  Policies should be created that embed inclusive values and a performance and succession strategy that ensures Indigenous movement into leadership."

Embed?!  Really?!

I thought the private sector was in the business of business and making money.  But no, it is apparently in the business of molly-coddling native staff who feel, "On guard to bias, including racism, stereotyping, discrimination and microaggressions, checkbox hiring, increased emotional labour requirements, misaligned values and a lack of Indigenous employees in decision-making positions."

Really?!

I thought you moved into decision-making positions because of your competence, not your race.  Guess I missed that memo too.

"For Indigenous people, success is often measured by considering the sustained impact on community well-being for future generations."

Really?!  Not in the corporate world.  As I said, the private sector is in the business of making money in the here and now -- not for future generations who may, or may not, work in the "real" world.    

I thought Indigenous people felt ignored and rejected, but here's the deal in the workplace:  They now actually object to being recognized or being asked to participate in "tasks outside their job duties, such as planning 'Orange Shirt Day' events, educating team members about residential schools or leading ceremonies within the workplace."

This is all called "Emotional labour impacts," says Jackknife.  But G-d help the rest of us if we don't recognize 'Orange Shirt Day', decry residential schools and self-flagellate for the rest of time!  They wanted it, they got it and now they object to it?  Trudeau even lowered federal flags to half staff a couple of summers ago.  What more do we have to do?! 

The Indigenous are also demanding a special health care approach -- separate and apart from that which the rest of us get because they have "special needs".  Drug treatment programs are at the top of their list.  I rest my case.

As I said, it's always something.