Workplace Challenges
Harassment a grim reality for womenViolence and harassment in the workplace remain a grim reality for women in Ontario, a study released last week shows. COLIN PERKEL |
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 [ 2004-10-13 ] |
The study documents not only the devastating toll that violence and harassment take, but also the dire consequences that often result when victims who are brave enough to do so seek redress for their complaints.
"We want to shatter the myth that all is well for women working in Ontario," said report co-author Sandy Welsh of the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto.
"Our report demonstrates that this issue is far from over."
Through in-depth interviews with 67 women across the province, the study, published by the Centre for Research on Violence against Women and Children, attempts to build on previous surveys that quantified the problem.
The findings are stark.
"Women reported losing their jobs or careers, experiencing damaged relationships with co-workers, being labelled troublemakers, losing friends and undergoing stress with family members," the report states.
"Loss of sleep, nervousness, loss of financial security, loss of self-esteem, guilt, fear, self-blame were all named as health-related and personal consequences of harassment."
The study, called Workplace Harassment and Violence, is dedicated to Theresa Vince, who was shot dead in 1996 by her boss at her Sears Canada office in Chatham, Ont.
One woman told the researchers how she was confronted with pornographic pictures along with openly hostile male co-workers and supervisors.
"One man . . . would throw things at me when he was angry," she said.
"Most of the men I worked with have exposed themselves to me. (They) tried to force oral sex on me after they duct-taped me to the chair."
For some women, especially those of visible minorities or with limited English, the harassment can be particularly difficult to deal with because it might take multiple forms, the study finds.
Because complaining often leads to retaliation, many victims choose to suffer in silence or leave their jobs, the report states.
"The problem with reporting cannot be underestimated," Welsh said.
The study also found a lack of resources available to victims, who often don't know where to go to complain. Nor is there any central clearing house to provide information, support and guidance.
"We do not have workplace harassment centres," Welsh said.
Rape Crisis Centres
Some women have turned to cash-strapped rape-crisis centres, which are often ill-equipped to deal with harassment, said Marilyn Oladimeji, president of the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres.
The report recommends the province tighten the Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide better legislative protections for complainants.
It also recommended government funding for support services.
"There are huge costs which at this point in time remain hidden," said Barbara MacQuarrie of the University of Western Ontario.
"A few government dollars to provide some supportive services is actually a cost-effective way to deal with the problem."
The report also recommended that lawyers, police, unions and employers learn more about the issue.
Labour Minister Chris Bentley called the report helpful but offered no specific funding commitments.
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