Health and Safety A-Z
Topic: Harassment
Summary:
From the Ministry of Labour website:
Workplace harassment can involve unwelcome words or actions that are known or should be known to be offensive, embarrassing, humiliating or demeaning to a worker or group of workers. It can also include behaviour that intimidates, isolates or even discriminates against the targeted individual(s).
Workplace harassment often involves repeated words or actions, or a pattern of behaviours, against a worker or group of workers in the workplace that are unwelcome.
This may include:
- making remarks, jokes or innuendos that demean, ridicule, intimidate, or offend;
- displaying or circulating offensive pictures or materials in print or electronic form;
- bullying;
- repeated offensive or intimidating phone calls or e-mails; or
- inappropriate sexual touching, advances, suggestions or requests.
Trent University is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment where all members of the Community are treated with respect and dignity. Harassment will not be tolerated.
The University’s Violence and Harassment policy can be found in the University’s policy library
Under this policy, all employees are required to complete Workplace Violence and Harassment training, which can be completed on Blackboard (available on myTrent). University supervisors and managers are responsible for maintaining a workplace that is free of harassment. Any concerns that arise should be brought to the attention of the area supervisor, or, where appropriate, to the AVP Student Services, AVP Human Resources or the Director of Risk Management.
For Information See:
Workplace Violence and Harassment, Understanding the Law, Ministry of Labour
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Part III.0.1 Violence and Harassment
Additional Resources:
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Bullying in the Workplace
Trent University No Tolerance/Abusive or Threatening Behaviour Sign
Last Revised: March 12, 2025