This Diversity month, we spotlight Syed Hasan, who works as part of the Talent Acquisition team at Atlantic Packaging Group. Syed’s primary responsibility is overseeing recruitment for plant-based salaried roles, followed by corporate positions, across multiple manufacturing facilities in the Greater Toronto Area, including Hannon specifically and Mississauga, Brampton, and Scarborough as well.
Q: Why is Diversity important to you personally and professionally?
Syed Hasan (Syed): Diversity Month is a reminder of the strength and learning opportunities from people of different backgrounds coming together. Personally, it’s important because it allows me to celebrate my roots while learning from others. Professionally, it’s a chance to showcase how diversity makes us stronger as an organization.
Q: What does diversity mean to Atlantic Packaging Group, and how does it align with the company’s values?
Syed: Diversity for Atlantic is about bringing unique voices and perspectives together to drive innovation and growth. It’s an integral part of our values because we operate on a foundation of teamwork and respect. Diversity aligns with our commitment to forward-thinking, adapting to challenges, and welcoming transformation for success.
Q: How do you think diversity benefits our workplace?
Syed: Workplace diversity fosters innovation and adaptability. When individuals with different backgrounds collaborate, they bring unique ideas and solutions into discussions. It also makes the environment richer and more dynamic, helping us meet the needs of a global and evolving market.
The Company’s Efforts Toward Diversity
Q: How has the company’s approach to diversity evolved? Can you share any standout milestones or initiatives?
Syed: Our approach to diversity has really evolved over the years. Atlantic has moved from simply meeting hiring goals to building a culture where inclusion is genuinely part of how we work every day. We’re proud to create an environment where no one faces barriers based on things like race, age, religion, or background. One standout initiative is our ongoing training programs for employees and managers, which ensure inclusivity is practiced throughout the organization, not just spoken about.
Q: What are the key metrics or indicators of success that the HR team examines to measure the impact of diversity initiatives?
Syed: We look at several key indicators to measure the impact of our diversity initiatives. One of the main tools is our employee engagement surveys, which give us insight into how supported and valued our team members feel. We also monitor the diversity of candidate slates for all positions, assess hiring practices for fairness and equity. These metrics help us ensure our hiring practices remain fair and equitable, and that we’re making real progress in building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities where we live and work.
Q: How does the company support an inclusive environment year-round?
Syed: Inclusivity is about creating a space where everyone feels valued, which doesn’t start or end with Diversity Month. Year-round, we encourage open communication, offer training opportunities across teams, and promote team-building activities. We also have strong support from senior leadership in fostering this culture.
Personal Insights and Reflections
Q: What does an inclusive workplace mean to you?
Syed: An inclusive workplace feels like home. It is a space where you can be your authentic self, where your ideas are valued, and you feel supported in your personal and professional growth.
Q: What’s something you’ve learned from someone with a different background than yours?
Syed: I’ve learned a great deal about patience and different leadership styles from my colleagues of other cultural backgrounds. For example, how certain cultures may approach conflict resolution calmly and methodically has influenced my approach to managing tough conversations.
Q: What’s the most interesting fact about your culture that surprises people?
Syed: Bangladesh is renowned for its rich linguistic heritage, with Bengali (Bangla) being its official and most widely spoken language. Bengali is celebrated for its poetic and literary significance and has played a pivotal role in the country’s identity.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed 21 February as International Mother Language Day. This day has been observed worldwide, promoting awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity.
Q: Is there a message you’d like to share with the team about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
A: Diversity and inclusion are not just checkboxes; they’re about fostering a culture where everyone feels like they belong. When we take the time to learn from one another, we grow both individually and as a company.
Q: Do you have a personal story or experience related to diversity that has impacted you and shaped your perspective?
A: A standout moment was when I worked out of Brampton for a temporary assignment. Moving temporarily from Pickering meant significant commuting challenges, but the support I received from leadership and stakeholders made it completely worthwhile. That experience reinforced the importance of how leadership’s support for diversity helps individuals flourish professionally.
“If the employees are happy, well taken care of, respected, and honored, they will always give their best. They will go above and beyond to ensure client satisfaction because they know the company has their back.”
– Syed Hasan, Talent Acquisition, Atlantic Packaging Group
Q: Finally, how would you characterize Atlantic’s culture in one word?
A: Supportive.
Q: What would you like to share about your cultural background? What do you cherish the most?
A: I’m from Bangladesh, and one of the things I treasure most about my culture is the emphasis on hospitality and respect. We truly value building relationships, whether professional or personal, and that is something I carry into my role at Atlantic every day.
Q: What’s a unique custom or practice from your culture that others may not know about?
Syed: One unique tradition is how all major celebrations in Bangladesh involve sharing food. It’s not unusual to visit multiple homes in a day during a holiday, tasting dishes from each one. It’s a wonderful way to build connections and express gratitude.
At Atlantic, diversity doesn’t just mean hiring individuals from different backgrounds; it’s about empowering them to thrive.
Together as One Team, we continue to build a workplace where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand.
