2.5 What is sexual harassment at work?
[Student Manual, page 17]
Sexual harassment is a form of psychological harassment under the labour standards law.
You are being sexually harassed at work if:
- Someone at work is behaving in a sexual way toward you. This means sexual comments, acts, or physical contact, and
- This behaviour is usually repeated, and
- You do not want or welcome this behaviour, and
- The behaviour has a negative effect on your job. This can mean you are dismissed, or punished, or your workplace environment is poisoned.
Flirting is not the same as sexual harassment. If you flirt, you like or welcome the sexual behaviour. Harassment means you do not want or welcome the behaviour. You are being sexually harassed if you tell the person you do not want him/her to continue acting this way, and the person does not stop.
Remember not everyone takes things the same way. You might not like or welcome someone’s behaviour. Someone else might. For example, you might not like it when Joe pinches you on the behind every morning, but Maria thinks it is just a joke. Once you tell Joe to stop pinching you, and Joe keeps pinching your behind, you are being sexually harassed.
2.6 What can I do if I am psychologically or sexually harassed at work?
[Student Manual, page 18]
If possible:
- Talk to someone you trust about the problem you are having. Do not remain alone with your problem.
- Tell the harasser very clearly that you want this behaviour to stop right away. If you can, make sure someone else is with you during this conversation.
- If this doesn’t work, try to note down in writing the times you are psychologically or sexually harassed. Write down the details such as the time and date, where, what was said or done, who was there, etc.
- Talk to other workers and see if other people are also being harassed.
- Check with your employer to see if there is a way that your report of the unwanted behaviour can be kept confidential.
- Tell your employer. Your employer must take steps to stop this behaviour. (If your employer is the harasser, see Section 2.8 on filing a complaint.)