Workplace Harassment

& Sexual Harassment

Rida, Britney, Sharon, Valerie,
Jean
 What is Workplace Harassment?

Improper conduct by an individual, that is directed at and offensive to another

individual in the workplace, including at any event of any location related to work,
and that individual knew would cause offence or harm. This includes objectionable
acts, comments or displays to demean, belittle, or cause personal humiliation or
embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat.
Examples of What Constitutes Harassment

● Prevents a person from expressing him or herself

● Unwanted sexual advances
● Making rude, degrading offensive remarks
● Discrediting the person by spreading malicious gossip and rumors
● Compelling the person to perform tasks that are inferior to his/her
competencies
● Isolating the person by no longer talking to him/her
 -

Harassment Work related stress (Although this

may increase the risk of
Misunderstood harassment)

-Managing day to day operations

-Workplace conflict in itself

-A single isolated incident

-A social relationship welcomed by

both individuals
Workplace Harassment: The Law
OHSA - Stands for Occupational Health and Safety Act, it describes everyone's rights, responsibilities &
answers questions that are most commonly asked about workplace harassment.

Includes harassment within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act (ie) based on race,
nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status,
disability & pardoned conviction.

More than one act is needed in order to constitute harassment, however one single act can constitute
harassment.

A complaint of harassment must be filed within 12 months & it is best to contact a lawyer for more
clarification on the situation.

Canada’s Criminal Code deals with matters such as violent acts, sexual assault, threats and behaviours
such as stalking. The police should be contacted in these situations. Harassment may also be a matter
that falls under Ontario’s Human Rights Code.
Factors That trigger Workplace Harassment

Poisoned work environments can very much trigger acts of harassment.

It refers to a workplace in which comments or behaviours that create a hostile environment for
individuals or groups negatively affect communication and productivity.

Other factors that cause workplace harassment are:

● Work related stress

● Family & Personal life stress
● Financial stress

Thinking that the individual has more superiority over other individuals and will not be accounted
for their actions.
Employer Responsibilities
Your employer must:

● Have a workplace harassment policy

● Have a workplace harassment program that describes how to make a complaint or
report an incident of workplace harassment
● Provide information and instruction to workers about the employer’s workplace
harassment policy and program
● Ensure the written program is developed and maintained in with the Joint Health &
Safety Committee or health and safety representative
● Ensure appropriate investigation is conducted into incidents or complaints of
workplace harassment
● Inform a worker who has allegedly experienced workplace harassment and the
alleged harasser in writing of the results of the investigation, and any corrective
action that has been or will be taken
What to do if you feel you are a victim of
workplace harassment
If you feel you have been harassed, you are encouraged to make the other person
aware, and try to resolve the problem with them first.

If the issue cannot be resolved, or you feel you can’t speak directly to the other person,
you should notify your supervisor or the manager at the next level.

You can contact:

● Human Resources
● A Union Representative
● A Labour Relations advisor
● The Employee Assistance Program
 ● Ministry of Labor
● Employee Assistance
Programs
Who can you contact if ● Police
you are being harassed at ● Human Rights: Human Rights Legal
Support Centre, Human Rights Tribunal of
work? Ontario, and the Ontario Human Rights
Commission
● Ontario Labor Relations Board
● Assaulted Women's helpline:
1.866.863.0511 available 24 hours a day,
Text: #SAFE (#7233) on your Bell,
Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile phone
Workplace Rights

Canadians have the right to be

treated fairly in workplaces free from discrimination

The Canadian Human Rights Act is a legislation that prohibits

discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity and other grounds.
Workplace Rights
You have the right:

● To be treated fairly at work

● To work in a safe and healthy workplace
● To be trained to deal with workplace hazards, and
● To join a trade union.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a type of
discrimination based on sex.

When someone is sexually harassed

in the workplace. It can prevent them
from earning a living, doing their job effectively, or reaching their full
potential. Sexual harassment can also poison the environment for
everyone else.
Sexual Harassment - What it looks like
● Asking for sex in exchange for a benefit or
a favour
● Repeatedly asking for dates, and not
taking “no” for an answer
● Demanding hugs
● Making unnecessary physical contact,
including unwanted touching
● Using rude or insulting language or
making comments toward women
● Calling people sex-specific derogatory
names
● Making sex-related comments about a
person’s physical characteristics
Sexual Harassment
The Law

Sexual harassment is against the law under the Equal Opportunity Act.

Some types of sexual harassment may also be offences under criminal

law. These include indecent exposure, stalking, sexual assault and
obscene or threatening communications, such as phone calls, letters,
emails, text messages and posts on social networking sites.
How to Communicate About Sexual Harassment

● Is the situation dangerous or miscommunicated?

● Let them know it’s not okay
● Make sure they know action will be taken if it continues
● If the situation is dangerous take immediate action
● Don’t make yourself feel more uncomfortable about the situation than you
already are
● Ask for help
How to prevent Sexual Harassment

● Anti-harassment policies
● Training on the topic
● Have reoccuring awareness meetings
● Have all employees sign a contract that they are aware of the policy
● Post signage of what is qualified as sexual harassment
● Make employees feel comfortable to talk about sexual harassment
● Investigate and handle sexual harassment complaints and discipline
appropriately
Effects of Sexual Harassment

● Toxic and Uncomfortable Work Environment

● Unable to complete or focus on daily tasks
● Absenteeism
● Thinking of quitting
● Can cause anxiety or depression
● Thoughts of unwanted career or department change
● Feeling unsafe in and around the workplace
● Lowering confidence
How to Handle Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

● Is the situation sexual harassment?

● Speak with the harasser one on one if you feel comfortable doing so
● Research and know about your companies policies for sexual harassment
● Write down and contact the appropriate person/supervisor
● Know the labour laws involving sexual harassment regardless if action is
taken or not
● Contact human resources
● Still no action hire an attorney
● If you feel threatened by the harasser or you feel like your in danger contact
the police
Workplace Harassment within Film and Novels
 The Devil Wears Prada
In the movie The Devil wears Prada, based upon the book of the same name, follows a woman
named Andie working for a rude woman who’s remarks towards Andie as well as the other people who
work for her is blatant workplace harassment. Throughout the movie Andie is called a lot of names by her
boss Miranda Priestly. She is insulted from the way she looks to her work ethic to her intelligence. Nothing
is ever done about Miranda’s abuse towards her staff because the movie is a drama/comedy. Really
looking at the movie, you know that is no way any employer should ever treat their staff.
(Novel), A. B. (Writer), & Frankel, D. (Director). (2006). The Devil Wears Prada [Motion Picture].
Stockett, K. (2009). The Help. New York, USA: Penguin.
 “The Help”
A novel

The Help was written by Kathryn Stockett, it was based in 1960’s Mississippi. It portrays
workplace harassment at one of its worst. Workplace harassment doesn’t always take place in an office
building, it is anywhere you work: on the road, cleaning someone’s house, on boats, trucks, etc. The Help
was about the verbal abuse and racism black maids faced everyday while cleaning and cooking, and
babysitting for white families.
If you were working in someone’s home and the person who owns the home verbally insults you or
says or does things to make you feel uncomfortable, what would you do?
References
Slides 3-6
Workplace harassment. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2018, from https://www.ontario.ca/page/understand-law-workplace-violence-and-
harassment#section-5

Chrc-ccdp.gc.ca. (2018). What is Harassment? | Canadian Human Rights Commission. [online] Available at: https://www.chrc-
ccdp.gc.ca/eng/content/what-harassment-1 [Accessed 5 Oct. 2018].

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health. (2018, November 29). Bullying in the Workplace. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/bullying.html
Gowlings' Employment and Labour Law Seminar 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from https://www.slideshare.net/gowlings/tor-law-
8280179v32013-ell-seminar-nov-6-ppt-template
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. (2015, August 21). Is it Harassment? A Tool to Guide Employees. Retrieved December 5, 2018,
from https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/healthy-workplace/prevention-resolution-
harassment/harassment-tool-employees.html
Slides 7-9
Government of Canada. (2015, 08 21). Is it Harassment? A Tool to Guide Employees. Retrieved from Government of Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/healthy-workplace/prevention-resolution-
harassment/harassment-tool-employees.html#c1

Ontario Ministry of Labour. (2017, May 2). Being Harassed at work? Information for Workers. Retrieved from Ontario Ministry of Labour:
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/fs_wvh_atwork.php
References
Slides 15 - 18
Heathfield, S. M. (2018, March 02). How to Deal With Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. Retrieved from the balance
careers: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-deal-with-sexual-harassment-at-work-4159020

MCPHAIL45. (n.d.). SEVEN MINUTE LEADERSHIP SERIES. Retrieved from the mcphail group:
http://themcphailgroup.com/communicate/

Salzberg, M. (2015, January 5). Even the “Cleverly Insidious” Lender Cannot Prevent its Borrower from Filing Bankruptcy. Retrieved
from Squire Patton Boggs: https://www.esquireglobalcrossings.com/2015/01/too-clever-by-half-a-lenders-attempt-to-prevent-its-
borrower-from-filing-bankruptcy-is-rejected/

Thompson, K. (2016, June 14). Eliminating the toxic. Retrieved from Odyssey: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/eliminating-the-
toxic

Slides 19 - 21
(Novel), A. B. (Writer), & Frankel, D. (Director). (2006). The Devil Wears Prada [Motion Picture]. Stockett, K. (2009). The Help. New
York, USA: Penguin.