Unfortunately, a hostile work environment can include much more than just open sexual harassment or obvious discrimination. Employees may be subject to more subtle — but equally illegal — forms of unfair treatment like religious, ethnic, or gender discrimination. Equally concerning are retaliatory measures brought against staff members who report the offender. Protect yourself with this guide to different kinds of workplace harassment.
Sexual Many people falsely believe that sexual harassment has to be overt and only affects women. But sexual harassment takes many forms, and both subtle and aggressive tactics can be used on men and women of any job description. Furthermore, even coworkers should not make any suggestive or sexual remarks, regardless of whether or not one is a supervisor. Even an offensive photograph or computer screen saver can qualify as sexual harassment.
Gender Gender discrimination usually involves hiring a man over an equally qualified woman solely because of her gender, but gender harassment can also take more innocuous forms. For example, a woman may be belittled or otherwise made to feel inferior simply because she is a woman. In male-dominated industries, jokes about a woman’s ability to perform her job are sometimes all too common.
Religious Employers are prohibited from treating any worker differently because of an affiliation with a particular religious group. Religious harassment can take the form of inappropriate comments, jokes about head coverings, facial hair, or footwear, or any commentary that isolates the individual because of her religion.
Retaliation Retaliation occurs when an employer demotes, terminates, verbally harasses, or singles out an employee who does not submit to harassment or who files a discrimination complaint. Retaliatory measures are illegal, and no employee should feel intimidated or unable to report harassment to a supervisor.
Your place of employment should be a safe and comfortable environment for all workers. You should contact to top rated employment lawyer in Toronto if any you face any harassment.