CRITERIA 9.5 – Sexual Harassment/Hostile Work Environment

  • A hostile work environment is unwelcome behaviour of any sort that makes an employee feel uncomfortable, fearful or powerless, or interferes with their work. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone – male or female, student or adult employee. Instances can include language, non-verbal communication or even pictures or displays that make people feel uncomfortable or self–conscious; overt, unwanted flirting; and comments regarding performance that have a gender basis.

 

  • Zero tolerance regarding sexual harassment and/or a hostile work environment should be the rule. If an issue does come up, the manager should never attempt to cover it up. Instead, immediately inform the boss. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may want make sure that the employee has stated that the offending behaviour is unwelcome and let the offending employee know that any future behaviour will result in formal action.
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