Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Learning Objectives • Be aware of key concepts associated

with sexual harassment.• Identify the different types of sexual

harassment.• Differentiate between welcome and

unwelcome behaviour, as well as, clear and unclear behaviour and recognize where the line is.

• Understand the mechanisms for filing a compliant should you be subject to sexual harassment in your workplace.

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Presentation Outline

i. Introduction

ii. Responsibilities and Liabilities

iii. Defining Sexual Harassment

iv. Profile of a Typical Target

v. Types of Sexual Harassment

vi. Where Do You Draw The Line?

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Why is it Important to Learn about?

Sexual Harassment

in the Workplace

It is important to know that sexual harassment is against the law. It is also prohibited by your employer’s policy.

In Canada, each province and territory has its own human rights law that prohibits employment discrimination based on certain protected grounds.

Depending on which province or territory you are in, a complaint of discrimination may be investigated by a human rights commission investigator, or may be brought directly to a tribunal, where a decision is reached.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

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All the various human rights laws in Canada, without exception prohibit sexual harassment.

In short, there is no workplace in Canada where sexual harassment is not against the law!

Liability – both individuals and organizations can be held liable for sexual harassment in the workplace.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

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Can include:

• Continual conversation of a sexual nature

• Persistent and offensive jokes of a sexual or gender-specific nature

• Leering or inappropriate staring

• Suggestive or insulting sounds, e.g., whistling, catcalls

• Lewd gestures• Sexual comments about body

shape, clothes, weight

Examples of Sexual Harassment

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Can include:

• Inquiries about a person’s sex life or relationship with partner

• Unnecessary physical contact, i.e., pinching, touching

• Displaying or circulating pornography

• Repeated requests for dates when the recipient has already said NO

Examples of Sexual Harassment

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Where Do We Draw

the Line?

PreventSexual Harassment

Not everyone agrees on what behaviours constitute sexual harassment. Is one person’s point of view more legitimate than another?

No. Sexual harassment is often said to be “in the eye of the beholder.” Comment or conduct that is perfectly acceptable to one person may constitute harassment to another. These different perceptions arise out of different points of view.

Point of View

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