Harassment Policy

Harassment Based on Prohibited Grounds relates to harassment based on one of the prohibited grounds listed in OH&S legislation: race, creed, religion, colour, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, family status, mental and physical disability, physical size or weight, age, nationality, ancestry or place of origin.  This includes any inappropriate conduct, comment, display, action or gesture by a person that constitutes a threat to the health or safety of the worker.  This type of harassment is prohibited in The Ontario Human Rights Code.  Harassment based on prohibited grounds extends to sexual harassment, which is conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that is offensive, unsolicited or unwelcome.

Personal Harassment is not based on any of the prohibited grounds, and is sometimes referred to as “bullying”.  This includes any inappropriate conduct, comment, display, action or gesture by a person that adversely affects a worker’s psychological or physical well-being, and the perpetrator knows or ought to reasonably know would cause the worker to be humiliated or intimidated.  Personal harassment may involve repeated conduct or a single serious incident that causes a lasting harmful effect on the worker.  This may include:

  • verbal or written abuse or threats
  • insulting, derogatory or degrading comments, jokes or gestures
  • personal ridicule or malicious gossip
  • unjustifiable interference with another’s work or work sabotage
  • refusing to work or co-operate with others
  • shunning or ostracizing
  • interference with or vandalizing personal property

Our organization is committed to providing a workplace in which the dignity of every individual is respected.  Incidents of harassment and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.  Management will take corrective action respecting any person who subjects any worker to harassment, including calling the police if the situation is warranted.