Respectful Workplace & Harassment Prevention Policy
Statement of Purpose
Nipissing University is committed to providing a respectful learning and working environment and maintaining a
workplace that is harassment free as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)1*. This Policy
formally establishes this commitment that is implemented through our program for prevention of workplace
harassment. All members of the University community, including faculty, staff, students, visitors, contractors and
volunteers, are responsible for the creation and maintenance of a respectful workplace.
Application
This Policy applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, students and visitors to Nipissing University.
Workplace Harassment
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, “workplace harassment” means engaging in a course of
vexatious comment or conduct, against a worker in a workplace, which is known or ought reasonably be
known to be unwelcome. Workplace harassment does not include legitimate performance management or
legitimate exercise of academic freedom.
Respectful Workplace Conduct
Respectful workplace conduct includes being courteous, polite, respectful and considerate towards all
individuals, including those with different strengths, roles or opinions. It also includes encouraging and
supporting individuals to learn and practice personal conflict resolution and skills that support a respectful
workplace.
Policy Statement
All acts of workplace harassment are strictly prohibited. Every community member must work in compliance
with this Policy and the supporting program. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that measures and
procedures are followed and that employees have the information they need to protect themselves.
Nipissing University will hold workers/employees, students and visitors accountable by imposing discipline and
other sanctions (up to and including expulsion and/or trespass notices). In doing so, Nipissing University will act
in accordance with the rights and obligations that are established by Board Policies, University Policies, Senate
Bylaws and collective agreements. Nipissing University may also initiate criminal or civil proceedings against
individuals who engage in workplace harassment *.
Reporting
The Ontario Health and Safety Association (OHSA) definition of workplace harassment (Bill 168) is broader than
the Harassment and Discrimination policy definition as it is not limited to the 15 grounds prohibited under the
Ontario Human Rights Code.
*
Revised Jan 3, 2011
(Bill 168, OHSA)
Please do not ignore harassing behaviour. If you witness or experience harassment, report the situation to a
supervisor, a person in authority, Campus Security or any member of the Safe Campus Evaluation and
Assessment Team (SCEAT) listed in Appendix A (attached). Nipissing University will investigate all reports in
accordance with the Nipissing University Respectful Workplace and Harassment Prevention Policy and will
address each situation according to relevant policies and legislation.
This Policy will be maintained on an ongoing basis, and reviewed at least annually.
Signed: _________________________________
President and Vice-Chancellor
Nipissing University
Revised Jan 3, 2011
Date: _________________
(Bill 168, OHSA)
Appendix A
Current members of the Safe Campus Evaluation and Assessment Team (SCEAT) are as follows (effective date September 2010):
Phone Extension
Email
Office #
Chief Operating Officer
(Co-Chair) Bob Keech
4353
bobk@nipissingu.ca
A127
Director, Human Resources and Employee Relations
(Co-Chair) Cheryl Sutton
4497
cheryls@nipissingu.ca
A218
Dean of Arts & Science
Craig Cooper
4290
craigc@nipissingu.ca
F207
Dean of Applied & Professional Studies
Rick Vanderlee
4666
rickv@nipissingu.ca
F207
Associate Vice-President, Academic and Research,
Dean, Schulich School of Education
Sharon Rich
4565
sharonr@nipissingu.ca
F306
Vice-Dean, Schulich School of Education, Director of
the School of Physical and Health Education
Jim McAuliffe
4268
jimmc@nipissingu.ca
F201
Manager, Environmental Health & Safety
Jeff Landry
4811
jeffl@nipissingu.ca
A218E
Director of Student Development and Success
(Ex-officio) Dan Pletzer
4493
danp@nipissingu.ca
A201E
Campus Security Services
Rick Guy
5505
richard.guy@canadorec.on.ca
B203
Revised Jan 3, 2011
(Bill 168, OHSA)