Home Page All Pages Top of This Page Sexual Harassment Employees have the right to work in an environment that is free from discrimination. Sexual harassment is sex discrimination. The Supreme Court of Canada describes sexual harassment in the workplace as an abuse of power. Sexual harassment is unwelcome comment or conduct of a sexual nature that may lead to adverse job-related consequences for the person who is being harassed. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwanted physical contact, sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, suggestive or offensive comments or gestures emphasizing sexuality, sexual identity or sexual orientation.
Employers have a legal obligation to stop and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Managers and supervisors represent the employer in the workplace and carry this legal responsibility. A strong policy prohibiting sexual harassment and decisive measures to deal with it are clearly in the corporate interest. The Human Rights Code encourages employers to adopt employment equity and other special programs that are designed to ameliorate conditions of disadvantaged individuals and groups. Employment equity programs remove barriers to employment faced by members of disadvantaged groups in order to create workplaces that are representative of the people they serve. Employers who wish to implement these programs can contact the Commission for advice and assistance.