The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission (NBHRC) and the Public Legal Education Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) are partners in a long-term project addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.
PLEIS-NB executive director Deborah Doherty says the consultation process began last fall and she notes how some employees aren’t even sure what it is.
Doherty says sexual harassment could be such a range of actions such as someone touching you on the shoulder or giving you a kiss on the cheek.
“Even just defining it, people were telling us the types of situations they’ve been in and their fear of saying something. Could I be fired if I complain about this person in the workplace because they are my supervisor?” she says.
Doherty says vulnerable groups such as the LGBTQ+ community may be most in need of support based on the limited research which has been done.
The consultation process is continuing with two videoconferences in English and French planned with business owners and operators later this month.
NBHRC and PLEIS-NB intend to work collaboratively to foster public education and awareness and create helpful resources, and training materials.
