Anti-Harassment Policy

Overview

Team Broken Earth adheres to the highest ethical standards as an organization and insists that all volunteers, employees, contractors, Board and Committee members adhere to all our standards of conduct and policies. Every volunteer is expected to adhere to the standards set out in the Volunteer Code of Conduct, and the terms of all our policies including Corporate Responsibility and Human Rights.

Team Broken Earth insists that all its volunteers, employees, contractors, patients/clients and Board/Committee members have the right to be treated with respect, fairness, and operate in an environment that is free from harassment or threats of violence. This applies regardless of the location of activity, wherever Team Broken Earth is deploying efforts pursuant to its charitable purposes. Everyone receiving care or services from Team Broken Earth is entitled to the same right to be free from harassment or threats of violence while in the environment of a Team Broken Earth effort.

Team Broken Earth will not tolerate any type of harassment or any threat of violence directed to or by any volunteer or any person receiving care or services from Team Broken Earth. Furthermore, Team Broken Earth will not tolerate any type of harassment or any threat of violence carried out by an unrelated party (e.g. member of the public or supplier) whether it is directed to a volunteer of Team Broken Earth, or where such an act creates an environment which is unacceptable to Team Broken Earth.

Definitions

Harassment is any conduct, verbal or physical, that has the intent or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual. It is any behaviour that is known, or ought reasonably to be known, to be unwelcome and includes: bullying or making remarks, jokes or innuendos that demean, ridicule, intimidate, or offend; displaying or circulating offensive pictures or materials in print or electronic form; repeated offensive or intimidating phone calls or e-mail; and ssexual harassment.

Sexual harassment includes any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s consent and includes but is not limited to: stalking; physical contact (patting or touching); display of sexual or sexist materials (e.g. pictures, jokes, emails etc); voyeurism; indecent exposure; or any form of sexual exploitation (including any act of prostitution).

Violence includes physical contact, force, intimidation, physical threats or assaults, and other intrusive behaviours.

Requirements

No type of harassment or workplace violence will be tolerated in any circumstance. Team Broken Earth will take prompt and appropriate action to prevent, correct, and if necessary, discipline behaviour that violates this policy.

In addition, we abide by the non-discrimination and human rights legislation in the various jurisdictions where we operate. Where laws do not prohibit prejudicial discrimination or unfair differential treatment, we are still committed to Canadian standards in which all people have the opportunity to receive health care services or education, free from discrimination and volunteers have the right to carry out their work in a safe and harassment-free environment.

Raising a Complaint

Any volunteer who would like to report an incident or a complaint should contact the Executive Director at any time via phone or email. Any complaint regarding the Executive Director should be reported directly to the Chair of the Board.

All complaints will be taken seriously and incidents will be dealt with promptly and impartially. All information will be kept confidential to the extent consistent with a complete investigation.

Investigating a Complaint

The Executive Director (or Chair of the Board where the complaint involves the Executive Director) is responsible for initiating an investigation and providing a prompt and effective response to any complaint or allegation raised under this policy. The Executive Director may also initiate an investigation on the basis of an informal complaint or based on information that he or she has obtained through hearsay.

Team Lead Responsibilities

Team Leaders must:

  • Provide leadership in the prevention of harassment and violence by fostering a climate of mutual respect.
  • Be aware of the terms of this policy and other related policies and ensure full compliance, including educating volunteers if necessary.
  • Take immediate action to report or deal with alleged incidents of harassment or violence that come to their attention, regardless of whether a formal complaint has been made.