ARTICLE 59 – HARASSMENT
59.01 The Boards and the Association recognize the right of all teachers to work in an environment free from harassment and shall work together to ensure that harassment is actively discouraged. All reported incidents of harassment shall be thoroughly investigated as quickly and as confidentially as possible. The Employer agrees to take reasonable steps to ensure that the harassment stops and that individuals who engage in such behaviour are dealt with appropriately and/or disciplined. The Employer and the Association agree that victims of harassment shall be supported, and protected, where possible, from the repercussions which may result from a complaint.
59.02 For the purpose of this Article, harassment shall be defined as follows:
Harassment of a sexual nature is unsolicited, one-sided and/or coercive behaviour which is comprised of sexual comments, gestures or physical contact that the individual knows, or ought reasonably to know, to be unwelcome, objectionable or offensive. The behaviour may be on a one-time basis or a series of incidents, however minor. Both males and females may be victims.
Harassment of a personal nature is any behaviour that endangers an employee’s job, undermines performance, or threatens the economic livelihood of the employee, and may be based on race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, social origin, religious creed, religion, age, disability, disfigurement, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, source of income and political opinion or Association status.
