Accelerating gender equity in finance
VersaFi’s research philosophy is underpinned by several key principles and values that guide our research endeavors.
At VersaFi, our research philosophy is grounded in an intersectional approach, which serves as the foundation for comprehending the complex dynamics within the finance sector, and supporting the various women and gender-diverse professionals that operate within it.
Our core values serve as guiding principles that shape our research decisions and practices.
Gender Equity as a Focus:
We see gender equity as a core value guiding our research, and centering the experiences of women and gender-diverse professionals in the finance sector.
Intersectionality as a Value:
We acknowledge the interconnected nature of identities and the overlapping systems that perpetuate barriers and discrimination. Intersectionality informs our nuanced and comprehensive approach to research.
Inclusive Workplace:
We are committed to creating discrimination-free workplaces where every member thrives, contributing to a collaborative and supportive environment.
Pay Transparency:
Advocating for compensation transparency, we promote equality and accountability in remuneration.
Mentorship and Sponsorship:
Actively promoting programs, we uplift individuals from equity-deserving groups, facilitating their career advancement in the finance sector.
Psychological Safety:
Creating an environment where everyone feels safe expressing ideas fosters innovation and collaboration, driving our research.
Workplace Flexibility:
Embracing flexibility, we prioritize inclusivity, acknowledging historical workplace inequities affecting equity-deserving groups.
Equitable Parental Leave:
Addressing gender inequities, our support for parental leave aims to remove barriers associated with gendered roles, ensuring fairness for all.
Data Collection and Transparency:
Our commitment to rigorous data collection and transparency ensures robust, accountable research aligned with our values, contributing to integrity and reliability.
Our research philosophy is not merely a theoretical framework but a commitment to actionable change within the finance sector. We strive to be agents of positive transformation, convening industry stakeholders and leaders in advocating for a more equitable and inclusive finance sector.
Our research and reports provide key insights into the challenges, opportunities, trends and topics impacting women and gender-diverse professionals in Canadian finance.
VersaFi (formerly WCM)’s The Future of Work in Finance report provides a snapshot of employee experiences with remote work in the pandemic specific to Canadian finance and offers targeted recommendations for organizations to support building equitable and productive hybrid work models.
VersaFi (formerly WCM)’s The Parent Potential provides a snapshot of corporate parental policies in Canada’s finance industry. The report includes a pulse check on employee experiences and pain points as it relates to parental leave.
Psychological safety is a cultural pillar of high-performing companies. This handbook outlines four ways leaders and people managers can ensure they cultivate psychological safety in their organizations.
The Equity Equation is an industry-wide analysis of employee experiences in Canada’s finance industry, looking at how personal identities including gender, race and sexual orientation, impact experiences at work. The report includes a new, innovative roadmap to equity, diversity and inclusion, and is a must-read for any professional or firm looking to advance ED&I. The findings are based on survey data collected in 2019 from 600 professionals in Canada’s capital markets.
