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Ways To Help Prevent Harassment

Everyone can help improve the work and study environment at UBC by showing respect for other people and by modifying words and actions when they offend others.

You can help by:

• Objecting to harassment when you see or experience it
• Accepting that NO means NO. Persistent unwelcome advances can constitute harassment
• Becoming aware that your behaviour, if unwelcome, can harass others, even if this was not your intention
• Refusing to go along with harassment masked as humour or academic debate
• Clarifying your understanding of differences among harassment, freedom of speech, academic freedom, and performance management
• Educating yourself on an issue before approaching it
• Choosing not to use or share words, jokes and comments of a discriminatory nature that may adversely affect others
• Ensuring that your behaviour is welcome. Be sensitive to the feelings, verbal and non-verbal reactions of others and ask for clarification if you are uncertain that your behaviour is wanted
• Encouraging work and study environment in which diversity is valued
• Being aware that cultures different from your own may interpret actions differently than you do
• Not using power positions to initiate sexual relationships (even subtly)
• Making sure your attitudes and behaviour don't condone harassing behaviour in others
• Offering support to anyone who is being harassed and helping others modify inappropriate behaviour
• Drinking responsibly. Alcohol use does not excuse harassing behaviour
• Circulating information to staff, students and faculty and encouraging attendance at discrimination and harassment and cross-cultural training programs

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Last reviewed 2/17/2011 6:41:03 PM