Human Rights Archives - Page 5 of 10

Understanding racism and racial discrimination: Recognizing & responding to the problem in Canada

June 16, 2020 | By Dana J. Campbell-Stevens

We are living in a time when racism and racial discrimination are at the fore globally. The world is being awakened to an issue that is by no means new but has not necessarily received sufficient attention. There is now a global call for radical institutional and systemic changes which acknowledge the equality of racialized persons. While the focus is in many cases on the justice system, it is imperative that the systemic changes, if they are to be effective, must permeate to the core of every society at all levels, including the workplace.

Think Respect at Work and Harassment Policies can be sidelined during the pandemic? Think again.

April 30, 2020 | By Christine Thomlinson

Racism is on the rise as a result of the global pandemic. Concerns about its prevalence prompted Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner for the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), to issue a statement earlier this month condemning the practice. Landry noted that minority groups, and in particular people of Asian origin, have been the victims of taunts, threats and intimidation in public and online. She went on to make clear that no one should feel threatened or unwelcome because of the colour of their skin or where they some from.

Sometimes a comment is just a comment: Making out a prima facie case of discrimination or harassment

April 16, 2020 | By Melody Jahanzadeh

Standards of appropriate workplace behaviour have rapidly changed over the last few years, and conduct that was once deemed acceptable is no longer tolerated in the workplace. But as the following arbitration decision demonstrates, one fundamental requirement still remains: the need to demonstrate a prima facie case of discrimination or harassment before the obligation to investigate a complaint is triggered.

A crash course on course of conduct: When it comes to workplace harassment, a single incident may not be just a single incident

March 2, 2020

In Ontario, harassment is defined in both the Human Rights Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act as a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought to be known to be unwelcome. The term “course of conduct” gives the impression that harassment needs to be made up of multiple incidents. In fact, in some circumstances one serious incident can constitute harassment in the workplace.

Enquêtes : Dix cas à retenir de 2019

February 10, 2020

Le 16 janvier 2020, Rubin Thomlinson donnait une conférence par webdiffusion sur les 10 cas à retenir de 2019 en matière d’enquêtes au travail. Voici les thèmes abordés et un résumé de cette présentation.

Manitoba Human Rights Board orders recognition of non-binary sex designation on Manitoba birth certificates

February 3, 2020 | By Dana J. Campbell-Stevens

In a recent decision, T.A. v Manitoba (Justice), 2019 MBHR 12 (CanLII), the Manitoba Human Rights Board of Adjudication (the “Board”) took a major step by ordering the Government of Manitoba to revise the criteria for changing sex designation to include recognition of non-binary sex designations on Manitoba birth certificates. This was the first adjudication in Manitoba on gender identity since its inclusion in the Manitoba Human Rights Code (the “Code”) in 2012.

An ounce of prevention: Sport Manitoba’s proactive approach to safe sport

January 23, 2020

News about safety in amateur sport in Canada is often about the gaps – whether it be policy, resources or oversight — in the sport environment that provides the opportunity for misconduct and results in bullying, harassment, abuse and harm to individuals. We hear about the gaps only after the harm has occurred. And we often hear that the individuals who are victimized did not know where to go to seek advice and support about what to do or they attempted to report and were not heard.

T.M. v. Government of Manitoba: Important lessons on workplace harassment for employers, employees, and investigators

January 17, 2020 | By Katharine Montpetit

A recent decision of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission¹ has clarified the extent of an employer’s obligation to provide its employees with a safe and respectful workplace. The decision – the first time the Human Rights Commission has considered a complaint of harassment on the basis of sexual orientation – is a powerful one, and is full of important takeaways for employers, employees, and workplace investigators alike.

Serious insight for serious situations.