together we will build the world’s best propulsion systems GM St. Catharines Employee Newsletter May 28, 2018 GM CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH IN JUNE!
General Motors values and respects individual differences – we appreciate what each individual brings to the team including background, education, gender, race, ethnicity, working and thinking styles, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religious background, age, generation, disability, cultural expertise and technical skills.
Empowering these unique perspectives keeps GM on the cutting edge of technological innovation in the fast-paced automotive industry. To win in this dynamic, competitive environment, GM needs a talented, diverse workforce that shares a passion for solving the world’s mobility challenges, and employees who want to make the world a better place. At GM, we’re creating a culture, an energy and an attitude that says anything is possible, especially when we ensure that every employee has a chance to contribute to his or her full potential.
That’s why, in support of pride month in Canada, all GM Canada facilities will fly the rainbow pride flag and the transgender flag in support of diversity for the entire month. This will also be our first year flying the transgender flag alongside the pride flag. Pride month is about celebrating our vibrant and increasingly diverse work force.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs), like GM PLUS play a key role in fostering an inclusive place to work. These groups provide a forum for employees to share common concerns and experiences, gain professional development support and engage in local communities. GM PLUS is an active research, marketing, educational and advocacy resource for GM on topics relevant to the LGBT and allied community. If you are interested in joining GM PLUS Canada, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
GM is committed to building a global culture of diversity and inclusion, and has been a leader in its support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality in the workplace. As one of Canada’s Top Diversity Employers for 2018, GM Canada continues to build a culture and a business environment based on inclusion, mutual respect, responsibility and understanding. It’s our sincere hope that ongoing support of all our employees will foster constructive dialogue on the importance of diverse perspectives and workforce inclusions throughout the company. By embracing diversity of thought, we’re able to develop mobility solutions that will meet the needs of a rapidly changing global society and move humanity into the future.
GM St. Catharines Employee Newsletter
Sam Hoodless | ext. 6619 | [email protected] Employee Information Hotline: 1-877-868-3895 | Employee Portal: www.gmstcatharines.ca GM St. Catharines Employee Newsletter 2
So what’s the difference between the transgender flag and pride flag?
Many transgender individuals don’t identify themselves with the pride flag. There is a difference between sexual orientation and gender identity, and they don’t always feel the same ties to the LGB community.
The rainbow pride flag symbolizes a mixed LGBT community. The colours specifically symbolize: life (red), healing (orange), sunlight (yellow), nature (green), harmony/peace (blue) and spirit (purple/violet).
The transgender flag is blue, pink and white. The light blue is the traditional colour for boys, pink is for girls, and white in the middle is for those who are transitioning – or those who feel they have a neutral gender or no gender.
Niagara Pride Week takes place from Saturday, June 2 to Saturday, June 9, and the 7th Annual Pride in the Park event - an outdoor, all-ages pride festival - takes place on June 9 in Montebello Park in St. Catharines. For more information about local pride events please visit www.prideniagara.com.
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
Experts tell us, and personal experience proves it to be true, that laughter is good—not just for the fun of it—but for our physical health. In the online WebMD article, "Give Your Body a Boost--With Laughter", R. Morgan Griffin details the many benefits of laughing:
• Increases blood flow • Raises level of infection-fighting antibodies • Regulates blood sugar levels • Improves mental function and attitude • Promotes relaxation • Improves sleep
While some scientists are not convinced, many believe that laughter does miraculous things for us. The Cancer Treatment Center of America uses laughter therapy in the treatment of all forms of cancer: "Laughter can help you feel better about yourself and the world around you. Laughter can be a natural diversion. When you laugh, no other thought comes to mind. Laughing can also induce physical changes in the body. After laughing for only a few minutes, you may feel better for hours."
Even the physicians at the Mayo Clinic agree. "When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. It's also good for you over the long haul as it increases personal satisfaction, relieves pain, and improves your mood."
Why not take your grieving friend to a comedic movie or rent one and bring it over to share with them at home? A DVD of a stand-up comedian is also a fine way to bring moments of laughter into the time you spend together. Or, if the time is right, simply share a funny story or joke with them.
"Worry is the secret weapon perpetrated upon us by the dark forces of the world that lurk in the shape of fear, uncertainty, confusion, and loss. We, on the other hand, have our own secret weapon against these incorporeal fiends. It is laughter." Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration.
Here's to sharing a giggle or a guffaw! GM St. Catharines Employee Newsletter 3
WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS AT GM ST. CATHARINES Security has noticed that the local deer population has significantly increased over the past few years, with more sightings than they ever recall seeing before. Tim Thompson of Securitas captured a deer sighting onsite with this great photo. He thought that it not only showcased our plant and wildlife, but it also provided a backdrop to put out a safety reminder for all employees.
To date, the largest herd spotted travelling through the property is 13. The Environmental Department would like to recognize Tim’s commitment to safety and the environment. Please be cautious during shift change, and watch out for deer and other wildlife on the property, especially at dawn and dusk.
Want to get involved in No Fixed Address?? You can participate by joining TEAM GM and fundraising, donating to the team, or by volunteering for the event which takes place here at GM St. Catharines in McKinnon Park! For more information about how to get involved contact Team Captain, Lyndsey McSweeney at [email protected].
GM St. Catharines Employee Newsletter 4
GM CANADA SUPPORT HELPING TO CLOSE THE TECH GENDER GAP
By 2019 there’s expected to be a 182,000-person demand vs. supply gap in the Information and Communications Technology industry in Canada. Less than 20% of students studying computer science at the post-secondary level are female.
Technovation seeks to help close this tech gender gap. Technovation has the mission of empowering girls to get involved in the tech industry, using coding as an entry point, and challenges female students aged 12-18 to become technology entrepreneurs by developing a mobile app that solves a real problem in their local community. Female teams of one to five students then compete for a chance to pitch their app in Silicon Valley at the World Pitch Competition against teams from around the world.
GM Canada, through the STEM Community Social Responsibility team, has provided funding to the District School Board of Niagara in support of increasing local student and teacher participation in their Technovation program.
In December, GM employees Sarah Bishop, Sherrie Chisholm, Stephanie Thompson and Stephanie Holder participated in a program kickoff event at the DSBN Academy and iHub, and provided a role model talk to the students as they started their project.
On May 5, 2018, students from 12 elementary schools (grades five to eight) and three high school division teams gathered at the Hilton Fallsview to practice their pitch ideas before a panel of industry judges. Sarah Bishop and Sherrie Chisholm were on-hand to provide industry insight from their roles in the GM St. Catharines Information Technology department.
In the end, two teams were selected to represent Niagara at the junior/elementary level, plus three teams at the senior level, at the Toronto Pitch competition, where if successful will qualify them for the chance to pitch at the World Competition in Silicon Valley.
GM Canada is a proud supporter of STEM activities across Canada and looks forward to the seeing the success of our Canadian teams in the Technovation Challenge.
(SOME) NEW FACES AT GM ST. CATHARINES!
On Monday, May 14, GM St. Catharines welcomed six new industrial electrician apprentices to our facility—the first time our plant has had apprentices in over two decades!! Welcome to Jeff Carpenter (formerly HFV6 assembly), Makenzie Kozik (formerly GSC tow motor group), Scott McMullen, Travis Collier, Justin Hough and
Ryan Green!