Creating a Respectful Workplace

1. Creating a Respectful Workplace Discrimination & Harassment: Keeping it out of the Workplace

2. Purpose of this Session • Expand on the awareness of what constitutes discrimination and harassment. • Remind all employees of their rights/responsibilities with respect to discrimination and harassment.

3. Purpose of this Session • Endorse UFA’s Managerial and Human Resources corresponding legal obligations to create and maintain a healthy, safe, and respectful work environment. • View an 18 minute video displaying specific examples and answering questions at the end.

4. Harassment Defined • Conduct (verbal, non-verbal, physical) or innuendo that intimidates, offends or humiliates a person. • Conduct that is reasonably known to be unwelcome.

5. Disrespectful Non-Verbal Behavior Examples • Rolling of eyes • Shrugging of shoulders • Facial expressions (eyebrows) • Folding of arms (Closed vs Open) • Turning of head or looking up • Walking away silent- A good thing! • Tense body language, clenching fist(s)

6. Disrespectful Verbal Behavior Examples • “What are you doing that for!!” • “My way or the highway” • “Because I’m the boss…that’s why! • “Do it this way because I said so!” • “Do it or else!!” • “You guys just don’t get it” • Others ????

7. Race Ethnic origin National origin Color Religion Age Sex Marital status Family status Disability Sexual orientation Granted a pardon for a conviction Examples of Discrimination/Harassment

8. Teased Topics…Future Harassment??? • Clothes you wear • Height or lack of • From the West,East, North, South • Hair Style, wear glasses, Jewelry • From a certain town …Edmonton??? • Way you talk, walk, etc.

9. Teased Topics…Future Harassment??? • Weight • Hair Color or lack of hair • Habits you have • Smoker or non-smoker • Kind of food you like/ eat • Car you drive

10. Teased Topics…Future Harassment??? • Perfumes, etc. • Drinker, non-drinker • Recovering drinker • Others??

11. Quid Pro QuoSexual Harassment • Made by a position of power • This can apply to co-workers where a worker is in a position to grant or deny a benefit of another • Threats of reprisal for negating/rejecting a sexual advance

12. Work Environment Examples • Office and buildings (company related) • Cafeterias, Washrooms • Social Functions (staff) • Drinking Establishments

13. Work Environment Examples • Lunch rooms • Parking lots • Vehicles (work related transportation) • Off premises locations for work (conference/ hotel rooms)

14. Sexual Harassment Defined • Persistent staring or leering • Discussions about sexual activities • Moving into someone’s personal space • Displayed pornographic pictures (Magazines/Internet) • Sexual suggestive comments

15. Sexual Harassment Defined • Asking for lunch date – after told NO! • Explicit propositions • Touching, Sexual assault • Crude, vulgar, or sexist language

16. Racial Harassment Defined • Verbal abuse or threats • Unwelcome remarks, slurs, jokes, gestures, innuendos, name calling • Graffiti (degrading words, messages) • Display of racist, derogatory materials • Distribution of derogatory materials

17. Racial Harassment Defined • Practical jokes – causing embarrassment • Exclusions or avoidance due to race/ethnicity • Threatening, terrorizing • Vandalism or intimidation

18. Harassment and Discrimination Consequences

19. For Symcor • Affects the lives of all involved • Impacts work morale • Absenteeism • Creates staff turnover

20. For Symcor • Production declines (revenues/ bonuses) • Disciplinary Action • Public Scrutiny • Tainted reputation • Litigation

21. Basic Principles of Behavior • Lead by example, treat others with respect. • Treat others with dignity – always! • Treat everyone equitably and fairly • Respect people’s boundaries

22. Model Behavior Principles • Is my behavior respectful towards my co-workers? – Ask if unsure. • Do you treat your cared family, friends, and relatives the same way? • How would I react if a co-worker treated my friend/relative like this? • Is my behavior making someone uncomfortable?

23. Barriers for not Reporting • Loss or personal privacy • Embarrassment • Belief that nothing will change • Belief that people’s attitudes and behaviors cannot be changed

24. Barriers for not Reporting • Belief of having no influence • Fear of retaliation • Fear of job loss • Not being believed • Guilt, shame

25. Managing a Complaint • Deal with complaint promptly! • Take complaint seriously • Discuss confidentially • Be sensitive but neutral • Take notes • Get the entire story • Thank the complainant • Set a follow-up time – Quickly afterwards

26. Personal Approach Technique • “I feel _________ (describe how the behavior makes you feel) when you _______ (describe the offensive behavior; focus on the behavior not the person) because _____ (describe the effect on your performance)” • Tell the offender how you want him/her to change the behavior; provide a solution. • Tell the offender what you will do if he/she persists with their behavior.

27. Personal Approach Technique • Zorba, I feel uncomfortable when you call me “Babe” because I am a married person and don’t appreciate these comments. • “I would appreciate you not calling me “Babe” and call me by my first name.” • “If this continues, I will have to talk with my Manager or Human Resources.”

28. Future Questions • Ron Bolokoski (403) 258-4622 • Randy Massie (403) 258-7404 • CSO HR Manager (403) 212-3566