CANADA
The Government of the Canadian Province of Manitoba has launched a campaign to ensure its Public Servants do not have to face sexual harassment at work.
The campaign includes six posters that explain to employees and supervisors what sexual harassment is and how to report it.
They include messages discouraging people from making jokes or sending emails about sex or gender.
This follows a report released in August that found hundreds of Manitoba PS employees had experienced sexual harassment while working but most did not report it.
The most frequent kinds of harassment included leering or invading personal space, but many others reported inappropriate physical contact such as touching, patting or pinching.
The ruling Progressive Conservative Party (PCP) announced its commitment to foster a respectful workplace after female staff came forward last year with allegations that a former National Democratic Party Cabinet Minister, Stan Struthers tickled and groped them.
The women alleged that their complaints about Mr Struthers, who left politics in 2016, were never addressed.
Backbencher Cliff Graydon was also kicked out of the PCP Caucus last year after allegations he asked two female staff members to sit on his lap and suggested another lick food off his face.
Another woman alleged Mr Graydon groped her at a PCP function.
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Rochelle Squires (pictured) said the Government had revised itsRespectful Workplace Policy by adding clearer definitions of what constituted inappropriate behaviour.
She said the policy also clarified how reports of harassment were handled so employees knew their concerns would be taken seriously.
“It’s sad that it has to be said, but harassment has no place in the workplace and every employee has the right to a workplace that is free of harassment,” Ms Squires said.
She said it was important people were aware of what actions and behaviour constituted harassment.
“What might have been dismissed as a colourful or off-putting joke a decade ago … is sexual harassment,” Ms Squires said.
Winnipeg, 29 March 2019
