If You Are an Employee Experiencing Discrimination or Harassment

• Tell the perpetrator to stop. Make it clear to the perpetrator that the behavior is unwelcome. Tell them to stop the behavior immediately. You can do this verbally, in a letter, or both.

• Tell the perpetrator’s supervisor. Employers have a responsibility to protect employees from discrimination and harassment. Complain to the harasser’s supervisor. Insist that management take action.

• Tell your union. If there is a union in your workplace, tell your steward about the discrimination or harassment. File a grievance. Encourage the union to put anti-discrimination and anti-harassment clauses in the collective agreement.

• Talk about it. Often people who experience discrimination or harassment are too embarrassed to tell anyone, or too afraid of the consequences. It helps to talk to a friend, relative or co-worker you trust. You may find others in your workplace have also been harassed. If you’re willing to speak up, they might be too.

• Write it down. When you complain, whether to your supervisor, union, or the PEI Human Rights Commission, it helps to document your experience. Write down each remark or action. Try to remember the exact words used. Record dates, times, places and the names of witnesses as soon as possible after the event so the details are still fresh in your memory. Sign and date it.

• Make notes about which supervisor(s) you told, their response and any changes in the behaviour. Sign and date it.

• Contact the PEI Human Rights Commission. Commission staff members investigate complaints. Sometimes victims hesitate to complain because they fear retaliation. Any form of retaliation following a human rights complaint violates the Human Rights Act.

It’s okay to bring someone with you for support when you come to the Commission office.