Workplace Harassment, Discrimination and Violence Prevention
1. Policy
The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory is committed to providing a work environment that is free from harassment, discrimination and violence where all Salvation Army (TSA) mission partners are treated with dignity and respect. All TSA mission partners, including officers, employees, volunteers and other individuals affiliated with TSA, are expected to uphold this policy by maintaining a respectful work environment in which all work together to prevent harassment, discrimination and violence.
TSA will not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination or violence in the workplace and will take all necessary measures to prevent and address such behaviour.
TSA encourages mission partners to report any incidents of suspected workplace harassment, discrimination or violence as directed by applicable procedures.
The workplace harassment, discrimination and violence policy will be reviewed annually and revised appropriately.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Describe the principles and framework for preventing and addressing harassment, discrimination and violence in the workplace.
- Ensure compliance with the Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Acts, and TSA policies and procedures.
3. Scope
This policy applies to all mission partners and anyone with the authority to act on behalf of TSA.
This policy is also applicable to work-related functions at off-site locations, such as conferences, social events, community-based settings and remote work sites.
The prohibitions against workplace harassment, discrimination and violence apply to volunteers, vendors, customers, contractors, members of the public and third parties who are on TSA property.
3.1. Out of Scope
TSA's policy on workplace harassment, discrimination and violence is distinctly different from:
- HR 06.001 Abuse Prevention and Response: This policy addresses abuse concerns/complaints related to clients, residents, consumers and congregational members.
- GV 01.008 Whistle Blower Policy: This policy provides a means to encourage mission partners and others to make good faith reports or disclosures of an act or omission constituting a violation of TSA policies, standards or practices; an act or omission constituting an offence under any provincial or federal legislation; an act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health or safety of persons or to the environment; or gross mismanagement.
If there is doubt as to which policy applies to the situation, clarification should be sought from HR's senior director of healthy workplace relations.
4. Definitions
Mission partners in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Quebec refer to provincial riders attached for provincial definitions.
Term or Acronym |
Description |
Mission Partner |
All officers, auxiliary-lieutenants, auxiliary-captains, envoys, cadets, employees (full-time, part-time, casual or on contract), volunteers, contractors and individuals acting on behalf of TSA. |
Complainant |
Any mission partner who makes a complaint under this policy. |
Discrimination |
A distinction, whether intentional or not, based on protected grounds relating to personal characteristics of a mission partner or group of mission partners. This distinction has the effect of imposing burdens, obligations or disadvantages on an individual or group of workers. It could also include the withholding or limiting of access to opportunities, benefits and advantages available to other mission partners based on protected grounds, e.g., citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance (in housing) and record of offences (in employment). |
Domestic Violence |
Any actual, attempted or threatened exercise of physical force against a mission partner in a workplace by a person who is or was in a domestic relationship with the mission partner (for example, spouse, former spouse, current or former partner or family member) that could cause physical harm to a mission partner at the workplace. |
Investigator |
The individual assigned to investigate the complaint. This could include but not be limited to a senior employee, an officer or a contracted third party. In certain jurisdictions, a government inspector has the legal authority to require the employer to hire an independent third-party investigator to conduct an investigation at the expense of the employer. |
Respondent |
Any worker(s) against whom a complaint is being brought under this policy. |
Sexual Harassment |
Engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace because of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, where the course of comment or conduct is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome, including conduct that occurs virtually through the use of information and communications technology. Or Making a sexual solicitation or advance where the person making the solicitation or advance is in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to the mission partner and the person knows or ought reasonably to know that the solicitation or advance is unwelcome, including conduct that occurs virtually through the use of information and communications technology. |
Workers |
Includes officers, auxiliary-lieutenants, auxiliary-captains, employees, volunteers and other individuals affiliated with TSA. |
Workplace |
Any place where a worker performs work for the organization. Workplace can include a mission partner's home, vehicles, off-site business-related function locations (conferences, trade shows), TSA retreats, social events related to work and clients' homes. |
Workplace Harassment |
A vexatious course of comment or conduct against a mission partner in a workplace that is known, or ought reasonably to be known, to be unwelcome. It may include unwelcome, unwanted, offensive or objectionable conduct that may have the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, thereby adversely affecting an individual's employment relationship and/or denying an individual dignity and respect. It may be directed at specific individuals or groups. It includes conduct that occurs virtually through the use of information and communications technology.- For workers in Alberta (AB Rider attached)
- For workers in British Columbia (BC Rider attached)
- For workers in Manitoba (Manitoba Rider attached)
- For workers in Prince Edward Island (PEI Rider attached)
- For workers in Quebec (Quebec Rider attached)
- For workers in Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Rider attached)
|
Workplace Violence |
Any actual, attempted or threatened exercise of physical force against a mission partner in a workplace that could cause physical or psychological harm or where it is reasonable for a mission partner to interpret a threat. Examples of violence include (this list is not exhaustive):- Physical attacks like hitting, shoving, pushing, kicking, biting, pinching, or inciting an animal to attack.
- Threatening behaviour, brandishing a weapon, shaking fists in front of, pushing, destroying property.
|
5. Roles and Responsibilities
5.1. Mission Partners
- 5.1.1. Promote and support a workplace that is free from harassment, discrimination and violence.
- 5.1.2. Attend training and/or information sessions related to workplace harassment, discrimination and violence.
- 5.1.3. Report known incidents of harassment, discrimination and violence in the workplace to their supervisor. If a mission partner is uncomfortable reporting a violation of this policy to their supervisor, incidents can be reported to another supervisor, an HR representative or a health and safety representative.
5.2. Supervisors
- 5.2.1. Promote and support a workplace that is free from workplace harassment, discrimination and violence.
- 5.2.2. Attend training and/or information sessions related to workplace harassment, discrimination and violence.
- 5.2.3. Ensure each mission partner receives training on this policy.
- 5.2.4. Ensure a workplace violence risk assessment is conducted, a workplace violence prevention program is in place, and the program is reviewed and updated annually for each location.
- 5.2.5. Develop, implement, monitor, review and update preventive measures established.
- 5.2.6. Ensure new mission partners receive a copy of this policy and all other related policies (e.g., during the orientation process for new mission partners).
- 5.2.7. On receiving a complaint, report it to Human Relations to discuss next steps.
- 5.2.8. Offer EFAP services (employees) or pastoral care (officers).
5.3. HR Department
- 5.3.1. Responsible for the administration and management of the policy and corresponding procedures.
- 5.3.2. Develop, implement, provide, monitor, review and update workplace harassment, discrimination and violence training.
- 5.3.3. Ensure fair incident review and investigation process is followed.
5.4. TSA
- 5.4.1. Responsible for ensuring this policy meets its mission and operational requirements in a fair and reasonable manner.
- 5.4.2. Ensure compliance with the Human Rights Code and all applicable provincial/territorial legislation.
6. Policy Requirements
6.1. General Provisions
- 6.1.1. Management actions conducted in a respectful non-vexatious manner, including measures to correct performance deficiencies or to impose discipline for workplace infractions, do not constitute workplace or psychological harassment.
- 6.1.2. It is recognized that in the course of employment/service, some physical contact may be required (e.g., when supporting persons who require mobility support). Mission partners are expected to treat one another and those they serve with the utmost respect, upholding the personal dignity of all.
- 6.1.3. TSA reserves the right to conduct its own investigations, provided that the investigation does not interfere with or compromise an external authority's investigation.
- 6.1.4. TSA will take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of harassment, discrimination and violence by clients toward mission partners. In some instances, TSA may only have the limited legal authority to terminate its client relationship or to impose restrictions on such clients for harassing or violent behaviour. Mission partners must report all workplace harassment, discrimination or violence from clients.
- 6.1.5. In the event of any conflict between this policy and applicable legislation, the applicable legislation will prevail.
- 6.1.6. A current copy of this policy shall be posted in a conspicuous place at all TSA workplaces so it is available to all mission partners.
- 6.1.7. Revisions of the policy shall be communicated to all mission partners.
- 6.1.8. In addition to the definitions of discrimination, TSA officers are bound by orders and regulations and the ecclesiastical standards set within.
6.2. Reporting Process
- 6.2.1. A mission partner who experiences or witnesses harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination or violence is responsible for reporting the incident to their supervisor. This also includes domestic violence issues that may have an impact on their safety or that of a colleague.
- 6.2.2. Retaliation against individuals who report harassment, discrimination or violence or against those who participate in the investigation process is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
6.3. Receipt of Complaints
- 6.3.1. TSA will take all complaints seriously and take appropriate action to deal with complaints in a fair, impartial, confidential and timely manner while respecting the mission partner's privacy as much as possible.
- 6.3.2. TSA will review complaints received and will decide if the complaint will be investigated or consider whether other tools and remedies may be appropriate in the circumstances.
- 6.3.3. The process may involve interviewing the complainant, the respondent and any witnesses, and gathering relevant evidence.
- 6.3.4. TSA will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible but may need to disclose information to conduct a thorough investigation.
- 6.3.5. At the conclusion of an investigation, TSA will take appropriate action to address the concern and prevent future incidents.
6.4. Disciplinary Process
- 6.4.1. Harassment, discrimination, violence or retaliation is a violation of this policy and will not be tolerated. Any mission partner found to have been engaged in such behaviour will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
- 6.4.2. TSA will take steps to prevent future incidents, including providing training and education to mission partners to create a respectful and inclusive workplace.
6.5. Training and Education
- 6.5.1. TSA will provide training and education to all mission partners on the prevention of harassment, discrimination, violence and retaliation.
- 6.5.2. The training will cover the recognition of violence, harassment and discrimination in the workplace and the types of behaviour prohibited under this policy.
- 6.5.3. The training will include procedures for reporting and documenting incidents of violence, harassment and discrimination and the consequences of engaging in such behaviour.
- 6.5.4. TSA will also provide regular updates and reminders to ensure that mission partners understand their obligations under this policy.
7. Policy Compliance
7.1. For Mission Partners
Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as determined by TSA policy. All mission partners are responsible for reporting policy violations.
7.2. For the Supervisor
The supervisor must periodically evaluate the implementation of this policy to ensure compliance.
7.3. For TSA
Support supervisors in their duty to comply with policy requirements. Ensure policies are relevant and regularly reviewed.
8. Procedure Links
NA
9. Form Links
- FRM Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Formal Complaint Form
- FRM Workplace Violence Incident Report
10. Related Policy and Document Links
- PRO Reporting and Investigation Procedure
- SUP AB Rider
- SUP BC Rider
- SUP MB Rider
- SUP PEI Rider
- SUP QC Rider
- SUP SK Rider
11. Approval and Document Control
Approved by:
TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT BOARD
Canada and Bermuda Territory