_This article is written by Nikki Isaac from the Ontario Public Service. _

  • The problem: Returning to the pre-pandemic status quo ways of working has led to inequitable representation at certain decision-making tables. As we return to pre-pandemic ‘normal’, how do we ensure these forgotten voices are heard?
  • Why it matters: Public servants have the unique opportunity and responsibility to advocate for all citizens. Advocacy only happens where there is representation. If we haven't created an environment where everybody is represented, some voices will not be heard.
  • The solution: Continue to advocate for representation in the public service and be mindful of the people who are not being represented at tables.

Privilege is an unusual word. It's a word that describes characteristics and traits that we easily recognise others as having, but don't seem to recognise as easily in ourselves. Privilege is an advantage that one person has over another, and because our experiences are our own, we don't easily see what we have beyond what another has.

Recognising our privilege, therefore, must be an intentional act.

I recognise that I can't speak for everyone, nor should I, because my lens is focused on particular experiences and not more broadly. This is the crux of why representation in the public service matters.

We often speak of privilege as coming with a responsibility. But really it comes with opportunities. The opportunities include being able to make things better for those around us. As public servants, we are positioned better than anyone else to do this: to be advocates for citizens and ensure they are provided with services that meet their needs.

I first met my good friend, Dr. Michael Kehinde, in 2018. Michael has always been a strong advocate of diversity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility. I attended one of his workshops where he spoke about accessibility. I distinctly remember him talking about how disability already affects a large percentage of the population and that none of us are immune to becoming a person with a disability.

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I first found myself in this very situation late 2022, and now again, in the middle of 2024. I would often speak about the lessons I'd learned from my experiences at that time and how it shaped the way I advocate for citizens. While I recognise that my own situation has broadened my understanding of the barriers imposed against people with disabilities, I also understand that there are many other groups that need advocates fighting for them.

I recognise that I can't speak for everyone, nor should I, because my lens is focused on particular experiences and not more broadly. This is the crux of why representation in the public service matters.

Regardless of terminology, we are now in the time of digital government. We now recognise that accessibility and inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all approach. People have different needs and we engage in user research to uncover these needs. Yet we don't seem to give ourselves that same grace as public servants.

We seem to have resorted back to accessibility and inclusion as being side conversations rather than shining a light on them as we were able to do during the pandemic. We focus a lot on physical needs and ignore public servants' emotional and psychological needs, showing little understanding of who is being left out of conversations. Although it was forced upon us, during the pandemic we were confronted with the reality that people actually do know how and when they work best.

But as we open up offices more and more, we are seeing a slide backward, with the public service once again being moulded into cookie-cutter boxes that don't fit everybody. Unfortunately, those who will be left behind are the people who can speak the loudest for vulnerable populations.

I know I'm in a place of privilege in my current role. But I also know that due to systemic barriers in place, I'm probably not going to be able to advance. I'm no longer able to sit at the right tables and be in sight of the right people. I'm not able to maintain the frenetic work energy that I once could, and I also recognise that that pace doesn't offer psychological safety for anybody. I’ve come to recognise that it's through no fault of my own and it has no reflection on my leadership abilities.

I have accepted this for myself. But I do worry about the impact on the people whose voices are not being heard and recognised through user research and at decision tables.

Our environment is not one that mirrors what is needed in the real world, even if it is meant to mirror the reality of the real world. We have not created processes that allow people in all situations to have equitable access to opportunities. We've instead created an environment and culture where a false sense of urgency is the norm and being able to sit back and be more methodical is not.

One way to resolve this is to ensure all public servants have access to alternate work arrangements. For me (and many others like me), that means having the ability to work from home.

I appreciate those who continue to push for ‘work from home’, especially those doing so with the understanding that it creates more equitable experiences for people representing vulnerable populations.

What can you do:

Continue to push work from home options as a way to create an equitable work environment. This can include communicating with unions, and generally being involved in the conversations. Work from home isn't just a nice thing, for some people it's imperative to the way that they work.

As people are pushed back into offices, we need to be intentional about understanding the experiences of those who aren't physically present. Bring your laptop to every meeting to replicate everybody being present. Remind those who forget that there are people absent from the room. Be intentional in making sure all voices are heard. Ask people what they need to feel like they belong and how their experience can be made better.

Done reading? Make sure to share your own thoughts about giving everyone a voice in the public service via representation by leaving a comment below ⬇️

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