No matter what your job is, you have the right to work in an environment that is free of harassment and violence. A number of pieces of legislation guarantee this right, including the Human Rights Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
For example, you have the right to be free of discrimination and harassment from your employer or any agent of your employer because of race, ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation and a number of other personal characteristics.
You also have the right to go through dispute resolution whenever those rights are not respected, and even to get compensation if appropriate, especially if you feel forced to resign because of a hostile work environment.
What Does This Mean?
You have a right to be free of:- Harassment: This includes comments or behaviour that is known — or should be known — to be unwelcome, distressing, agitating or demeaning.
- Violence: This does not just mean being badly physically hurt, but any kind of violence.
- Sexual harassment: This covers all sorts of behaviour, including repeatedly asking for dates without taking no for an answer, unwanted physical contact, sex-related comments, sexual jokes, and rude or insulting language.
