Workplace Harassment

“Harassment is any unwanted physical or verbal conduct that offends or humiliates you. ”

There are many forms of harassment and discrimination, including:

• threats, intimidation, or verbal abuse;
• unwelcome remarks or jokes about subjects like your race, religion, disability, or age;
• displaying sexist, racist or other offensive pictures or posters;
• sexually suggestive remarks or gestures;
• unnecessary physical contact, such as touching, patting, pinching, or punching;
• physical assault, including sexual assault.
  

Harassment is considered to have occurred if a person states that the behaviour was unwelcome.  It can consist of a single incident or several incidents over a period of time, and it can interfere with your ability to do a job.

When harassment is occurring in the workplace it can create a negative or hostile work environment which can interfere with your job performance and result in you being refused a job, a promotion, or a training opportunity.

Harassment and the Canadian Human Rights Act

The Canadian Human Rights Act gives each person an equal opportunity to work and live without being hindered by discriminatory practices.  All provinces and territories have some form of legislation which prohibits discrimination in their jurisdiction.

There are 11 grounds that the Canadian Human Rights Commission accepts harassment complaints based on: race, colour, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, sex, marital status, family status, mental or physical disability, pardoned conviction, and sexual orientation.

Employer's responsibility

If harassment occurs in the workplace, the employer is responsible.  It is the employer`s duty to:

• Make it clear that harassment is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
• Establish a harassment policy.
• Make sure every employee understands the policy and procedures for handling harassment.
• Inform supervisors and managers of their responsibility to provide a harassment- free work environment
• Investigate and correct harassment problems as soon as they come to light, even if a formal complaint has not been received.

 
If you are being harassed

Do not ignore harassment, report it! If you are being harassed, there are several steps you can take:

• Make it clear to the harasser that his or her actions are not welcome. 
• Record your case.  Write down information about the incident such as times, places, and witnesses.
• If you are harassed at work, contact the person in your employer`s harassment policy.  If you are not satisfied, there might be a union or company grievance procedure you can follow.
• If you are harassed by the provider of a service, complain to management.
• If the above steps do not work then you can file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission by contacting the nearest regional office.

If a harassment complaint is made against you:

1. Discuss the matter with your supervisor, personnel officer, or union representative.
2. Co-operate fully with the person(s) conducting the investigation, so that the facts may be determined.

Retaliation
If you file a complaint or you are a witness to a complaint do not be afraid of someone getting back at you.  The Commission can investigate and deal with complaints of retaliation against a person who files a complaint.  It may be a criminal offence to threaten, intimidate or discriminate against a complainant or witness.

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Posted by: suhujitha on 2009-04-16 10:39:16

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