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Human Rights & Conflict Resolution Office

Harassment prevention policy

Harassment prevention policy

The University of the Fraser Valley is committed to providing an environment supportive of working, teaching, scholarship and research, and the fair treatment of all members of the University community. The basis for interaction among all members of the University is mutual respect, co-operation, and understanding.

Harassment of any kind violates fundamental rights, personal worth and human dignity. Members of the University community are entitled to an atmosphere free of harassment while pursuing University-related activities. Accordingly, the University provides a policy that prohibits all kinds of harassment. The University considers harassment to be a serious offense that is subject to a range of disciplinary measures up to and including dismissal or expulsion.

UFV acknowledges its responsibility in providing all members of the University community with access to information on harassment prevention policies and procedures.

Harassment Prevention Policy (18)

Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Prevention

Definition of harassment includes personal harassment

Like many post-secondary education institutions and other large employers, the University of the Fraser Valley’s Harassment Prevention Policy (18) has an expanded definition of harassment which, in addition to human rights-based harassment and sexual harassment, also includes personal harassment.

While personal harassment is not specifically prohibited by law in the same way that human rights-based discrimination and sexual harassment are, the University's Harassment Prevention Policy makes it clear that this type of behaviour is not tolerated at UFV.

Harassment of any kind violates fundamental rights, personal worth, and human dignity.

Personal harassment includes bullying, ostracizing, shunning, and other forms of uncivil conduct. While such conduct is not specifically prohibited by law in the same way that human rights-based discrimination and harassment are, the University’s Harassment Prevention Policy makes it clear that this type of behaviour is not tolerated at UFV.

What behaviours are considered harassment under UFV's Policy?

Harassment is behaviour that is inappropriate or unwanted, and which the individual ought reasonably to know or have known would cause offence or harm. It comprises objectionable acts, comments or displays that demean, belittle, or cause personal humiliation; and acts of intimidation or threats which would be considered by a reasonable person to create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for work, study and other university-related activities.

Definition of harassment includes discrimination

The definition of harassment at UFV specifically includes discrimination based on any of the protected grounds as set out in the Human Rights Code.

It includes behaviour that would be considered discriminatory under the BC Human Rights Code, including humiliating, offending or demeaning a person or group of persons on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, family status, marital status, physical or mental disability, age, sex, sexual orientation or conviction for a criminal offence unrelated to employment.

Read UFV Harassment Prevention Policy (#18)

Discrimination Bullying Harassment Prevention Procedures

New training initiative for all UFV employees

Help build a positive and inclusive workplace: complete your mandatory “Respect in the Workplace” web-based training now.

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