Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying

Discrimination

Refers to conduct – intentional or unintentional, individual or systemic – that:

• lacks bona fide justification and has the purpose or effect of causing an adverse
  impact (i.e., denial of an opportunity or imposition of a burden) to an individual or
  group on the basis of a Personal Characteristic (defined below); or,
• fails to provide reasonable accommodation (to the point of “undue hardship”)
  for needs related to a Personal Characteristic.
  It is not discrimination or a contravention of this Policy to implement an employment
  equity or other program or activity that has as its objective the amelioration of conditions
  of disadvantaged individuals or groups.

Discriminatory Harassment

Unwelcome, abusive, or demeaning behaviour, remarks, conduct or communications
directed towards another person or persons that:

• include a direct or indirect reference to a Personal Characteristic; and,
• would be viewed by a reasonable person experiencing the behaviour as
  interfering with their participation in a BCIT-related activity, or, creating an
  intimidating, humiliating, or hostile environment.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome behaviour, remarks, conduct or communications of a sexual nature or due
to a person’s sex or gender, by a person:

• who knows or ought reasonably to know that the behaviour is unwanted or
  unwelcome; and,
• which interferes with another person’s participation in a BCIT-related
  activity; or,
• leads to or implies job- or academically-related consequences for the person
  harassed.

Bullying and Harassment

Any inappropriate conduct or comment by one person towards another that the person
knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause the other person to be
humiliated or intimidated; excluding reasonable actions by an employer, supervisor,
faculty member, or other person relating to the management, direction, training,
education, or evaluation of others.

• Age
• Ancestry
• Colour
• Family Status
• Gender Identity
• Gender Expression
• Indigenous Identity
• Marital Status
• Mental or Physical Disability
• Place of Origin
• Political Belief (employment)
• Race
• Religion
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation
• Lawful Source of Income (tenancy)
• Unrelated Criminal or Summary Conviction (employment)

For more information please visit the BC Human Rights Commission site

Advise the individual you believe has harassed you or discriminated against you, that the behaviour is unacceptable and ask them to stop. If this is too intimidating or inappropriate, or if the attempt to stop the offending behaviour is unsuccessful, then you should seek assistance from the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office.

If the harassment or discrimination persists, or if the perceived discrimination is systemic or relates to an Institute policy, you should speak to any of the following:

• The Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office,
• If you are a student, you should speak to the Instructor, Program Head, Department Head, Associate Dean, Counselor, or Student Association Advocacy Specialist.
• If you are an employee, you should speak to your supervisor, or where the supervisor is the alleged harasser, the manager the supervisor reports to,
• If you are a member of a bargaining unit, you may also wish to speak to your shop steward, or individual responsible for human rights within your bargaining unit.

Instructors, Department Heads, Program Heads, Associate Deans, the Registrar, Counselors, the Vice Presidents, Student Affairs of the Student Association, Supervisors, Managers, or bargaining unit representatives who have been approached by a Complainant may contact the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office in confidence for advice on how to proceed or they may refer the Complainant to the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office.

Right to a Safe Environment

Everyone has the right to a learning and working environment free from bullying and personal harassment. Workplace harassment, discrimination, and bullying are prohibited at BCIT.

What is Bullying and Harassment?

Bullying and harassment are any actions or comments that humiliate or intimidate someone. It is conduct that a reasonable person would know could cause harm to another person.

Note: Not all negative interactions are considered bullying or harassment. Some issues may arise from interpersonal conflicts, communication problems, or unclear expectations.

Download: Am I being bullied tip sheet [PDF]

Raise concerns directly (if safe)

As a first step, all BCIT community members should consider raising their concerns directly with the person whose behaviour, comments, or actions are concerning.

• This is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory.
• Do this only if you feel safe doing so.
• The best way to approach this is by objectively describing the behaviour, comments, or action that concerned you along with the impact it had on you. Do this without making assumptions about their intent.  You can find additional information about how to effectively provide this feedback on the RDI website.
• Often the other person will be unaware of the impact their actions or comments had on you until you tell them.
• Many times, this is the quickest and easiest way to address concerning behaviour.
• However, even if the situation is resolved to your satisfaction, consider documenting the incident in case the issue should reoccur in the future. This can be as simple as sending yourself an emailing outlining what occurred, by whom, when, and what steps you took to address it.

If direct communication doesn’t work

If speaking to the other party does not resolve your concern, or if you do not feel comfortable doing so you have many options for assistance.

• Depending on the specifics of your concern, you may be provided with options to address the matter informally.
• However, in some cases you may prefer to pursue a formal complaint please refer to the Formal Complaint and Reporting Options at BCIT page.

• If you feel safe and comfortable, try to talk directly to the person whose behaviour or comments concern you.
• If this does not work or you do not want to talk to them, you can ask the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion (RDI) office for help. They can support you with informal ways to solve the problem.
• Sometimes, people choose to make a formal complaint.
• At BCIT, you can only make one formal complaint for bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
• Before making a formal complaint, talk to your union representative or student advocate to understand your choices.

Please refer to the Formal Complaint and Reporting Options at BCIT page for a brief overview of each formal complaint pathway.

The Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion (RDI) office is a resource to the BCIT community involving issues and concerns relating to harassment, discrimination, and bullying and follows the procedure set out in BCIT Procedure 7507-PR1 [PDF], Harassment & Discrimination. 

The Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion office is not an advocate or representative for any party to a complaint.

When the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion representative becomes involved in a complaint of discrimination or bullying and harassment, emphasis is placed on the pursuit of an informal, safe, and mediated resolution to the complaint, to the satisfaction of all parties.

When such an outcome is not available, the Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion representative may investigate the merits of the complaint and provide an opinion on whether discrimination or bullying and harassment occurred, and make recommendations where appropriate including recommendations for discipline.

• Education and Awareness
• BC Human Rights Clinic
• Complaint FAQs

For Everyone at BCIT

• Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion Office SW01 1550 778.554.3190 or rdi@bcit.ca
• Safety and Security 604.451.6856

For Students

• Student Association Advocacy Office 604.456.1161 or 604.432.8279
• BCIT Student Life Office 604.431.4972 or 604.451.6863
• Student Health Services 604.432.8608
• Student Counselling 604.432.8608
• Early Assist early_assist@bcit.ca

For Staff

• Human Resources 604.432.8384
• Union Representatives:
  • Faculty & Staff Association 604.432.8695
  • BCGEU Support Staff 778.996.9504
  • BCGEU Faculty 604.456.1162

BCIT is committed to providing a learning and working environment free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.

Please read BCIT’s Policy 7507 [PDF], Harassment and Discrimination, for definitions of:

• Discrimination as it applies to BCIT students and employees;
• Harassment;
• Sexual Harassment;
• Personal Harassment;
• Bullying and Harassment per WorkSafe BC.

BCIT Policies, procedures, guidelines and additional resources relating to discrimination, bullying and harassment include:

• BCIT Procedure 7507-PR1 [PDF], Harassment & Discrimination
• Policy 7507, Prevention of Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying
• Formal Complaint Form [DOCX]
• Complaint Process FAQ
• WorkSafeBC Fact Sheets:
  • Employer Fact Sheet
  • Worker Fact Sheet
  • Supervisor Fact Sheet
  • Bullying & Harassment

Internal Resources

• Student Conduct
• Accessibility Services
• Counselling and Student Development
• Safety, Security & Emergency Management
• BCIT Student Association Advocacy

External Resources

• BC Human Rights Commissioner
• BC Human Rights Tribunal
• BC Human Rights Protection
• BC Information and Privacy Commissioner
• WorkSafe BC
• BC Ombudsman
• BC Civil Liberties Association
• Canadian Human Rights Commission
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights