102-275 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada, R3C 4M6
Phone: (204) 949-0811
Fax: (204)956-0848
Toll Free: 1-888-843-1229
(Manitoba only)
Email: mflohc@mflohc.mb.ca

MFL Occupational Health Centre, Inc.

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Building a Respectful Workplace

What is a respectful workplace?

A respectful workplace supports the physical, psychological and social well-being of all employees. In a respectful workplace

employees are valued
communication is polite and courteous
people are treated as they wish to be treated
conflict is addressed in a positive and respectful manner
disrespectful behaviour and harassment are addressed

What is Harassment?

Harassment is abusive and unwelcome behaviour or comments toward an individual because of a group to which they belong or appear to belong. It can also be unwelcome sexual advances. The Manitoba Human Rights Code prohibits harassment in mployment and other situations.

Why do we need a respectful workplace?

We all deserve a respectful workplace. When people at work offend, embarrass or humiliate us, it hurts our dignity and well-being. It also hurts our working relationships and can lower our productivity. Over time, disrespect in the workplace can lead to an unhealthy work environment and a high rate of employee turnover.

Who is responsible to prevent disrespect?

Everyone has a responsibility to prevent disrespect.
Source	The person whose action offends others. If you think your behaviour offends someone else, stop the behaviour.

Target	Tell someone if their behaviour offends you. Ask them to stop. Give a respectful response and avoid blaming. If the behaviour continues or is serious, report the incident to the appropriate person in the workplace.

Observer	The person who sees disrespectful behaviour occur. You are not innocent. You have a responsibility to call attention to the disrespectful behaviour. Offer suggestions for more respectful behaviour.

Person with Authority	Supervisors and managers should address disrespect immediately. Ultimately, it is the employer's responsibility to provide a respectful and harassment-free workplace.

Adapted from: Mediation Services

What can your employer do?

Your employer is responsible to provide a healthy work environment. Some ways employers can build a respectful workplace are:

Training

provide training on respectful workplaces to all workers and management
hold orientations with all new employees and review their rights, responsibilities and obligations toward other employees
provide diversity training
provide conflict resolution training and make sure all management and supervisors are skilled in handling conflict

Policies & practices

review policies & practices to make sure they encourage respect
develop a respectful workplace policy with the involvement of workers
support and encourage people who practice respectful behaviour

Build accountability

hold management and workers responsible for their behaviour
investigate all complaints of disrespect and harassment
assess respectful behaviour in performance evaluations

What can you do?

You can model respect by practicing the following behaviours:

try to understand the other person's point of view
accept values and opinions that are different from your own
identify your own feelings before you share your concerns with another person
do not blame, threaten or name call even if you are angry or hurt
report abuse, discrimination or harassment

For more information contact

MFL Occupational Health Centre
102-275 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phone: 204-949-0811
Toll Free: 1-888-843-1229 (Manitoba Only)

Mediation Services
302-1200 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phone: 204-925-3410

Manitoba Human Rights Commission
7th Floor - 175 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phone: 204-945-3007
Toll free: 1-888-884-8681
Website: www.gov.mb.ca/hrc

April 2003