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Anti-harassment policy
The following are suggested contents for an anti-harassment policy that is broad enough to cover all forms of harassment in the educational setting.
- A statement setting out the education provider’s commitment to a fair and equitable learning environment free of discrimination and harassment and that discrimination/harassment will not be tolerated by the educational institution.
- A statement of rights and obligations, including:
- student rights
- education provider, educator, and school staff obligations
- a statement indicating that no reprisals are permitted or will be taken against a student making a complaint.
- A list of the prohibited grounds of discrimination listed in the Code.
- The Code definitions of "harassment" and of "sexual harassment/solicitation.”
- An explanation of the concept of a "poisoned environment" as a violation of the Code.[49]
- Description/examples of unacceptable behaviour, such as:
- examples of harassment based on a ground listed in the Code
- refusal to evaluate fairly based on a ground listed in the Code
- examples of what would constitute sexual harassment, etc.
- How internal complaints will be handled, including:
- confidentiality
- length of time for complaint to be investigated, etc.
- Disciplinary measures that will be applied if a claim of harassment or discrimination is proven.
- Remedies that will be available if the claim of harassment or discrimination is proven, such as:
- an oral or written apology from the harasser/person who discriminated and educational institution
- recovery of lost class time, fair evaluation, or academic credit that was denied
- compensation for injury to dignity.
- A statement reinforcing the right of students to file a application with the Tribunal at any time during the internal process, as well as an explanation of the one-year time requirement in the Code.
[49] See Part 3.1.6 of the OHRC’s Policy on Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Gender-Related Comments and Conduct available online at the OHRC’s website: www.ohrc.on.ca.