Impact and Consequences

The consequences of harassment for all parties can be serious. Harassment on any of the thirteen grounds of prohibited discrimination violates Human Rights legislation and is not tolerated at UBC.

Engaging in harassing behaviours can result in disciplinary action. This may include, but is not limited to, reprimand, relocation, suspension, expulsion or dismissal.

The impact of harassment on the person being harassed is often much greater than one may think. It can impact a person physically, emotionally, economically, socially and can affect one's career and academic performance or potential. It can also have an impact on the department, school, work site or wider University community.

Examples of the impact of discrimination and harassment include:

Physical Impacts

• Change in appetite
• Decreased energy
• Headaches
• Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
• Stress-related ailments

Emotional Impacts

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fear
• Feelings of isolation
• Self-blame and guilt

Social Impacts

• Alcohol or drug use/abuse
• Dependency on another person(s) for support
• Generalized fears of people or things that remind one of the harassment
• Others may distance themselves from a complainant because they don't want to get involved or don't understand what she/he is experiencing
• Physical or emotional withdrawal from friends, family and co-workers

Career and Academic Impact

• Absenteeism
• Decreased concentration
• Dropping out of school or quitting one's job
• Grades or employment record suffer
• Reduced productivity

Financial Impact

• Decrease in academic standing or professional reputation
• Decrease in future academic or job opportunities (resulting from the examples listed here)
• Threatened or actual loss of job; income and/or benefits; promotions or merit increases; recommendations; scholarships

Organizational Costs

• Absenteeism
• Higher employee turnover
• Litigation
• Low morale and/or decreased productivity
• Tarnished public image
• Work or study unit disrupted by gossip, frustration and choosing sides