Keeping My Balance in the Impact Zone
The turbulent experience of caring for a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic
Reprinted from the COVID-19 issue of Visions Journal, 16 (2), pp. 28-30
Resources
From the "Workplace Bullying and Harassment" issue of Visions Journal, 2020, 15 (4), p. 44
WorkSafeBC
Put Psychologically Safe Interactions on the Agenda in Your Workplace
There can be a lot of confusion around bullying. People may not see that they’re hurting others, make assumptions, or jump to conclusions. Setting guidelines that everyone must follow helps promote psychologically safe interactions—interactions that help people resolve conflict respectfully and include everyone. Mary Ann shares resources that all workplaces can use to build safe and healthy work environments.
Where Has It Gone?
Many leaders today are put into leadership positions without much support or mentoring—we just expect them to be successful and navigate difficult situations. This can take an incredible toll on the leader’s mental health, which then effects everyone else on their team. Building emotional intelligence, managing compassion fatigue, and practising self-care can help bring respect back into the workplace.
When Is It a Human Rights Issue?
Human rights laws protect people from discrimination based on factors like sex, gender, sexual orientation, and culture. Bullying that targets one of those factors, like homophobia or racism, is a kind of discrimination known as harassment, and it’s against the law. Laura explains how employees can make a complaint to the BC Human Rights Tribunal and receive support from the Human Rights Clinic.
What To Do If You Are Being Bullied and Harassed at Work
Employers in BC are required to be free of bullying and harassment. If you experience bullying or harassment, it’s important to take action. Tamara explains several different options, based on the severity of the situation and the type of workplace.
Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in the Workplace
Half of Canadian women experience sexual harassment at work and almost 90% of women use strategies to avoid unwanted sexual advances at work. Rates of violence are also higher among women who experience some sort of social marginalization, such as Indigenous women or immigrants. When women experience violence at home, they may struggle at work or may continue to experience violence like abusive calls. All employees can play a part in supporting women who disclose experiences of violence, and workplaces need safe and trauma-informed processes in place to support everyone who experiences gender-based violence.
Coming Out at Work
How to promote trans-inclusive workplaces
From the "Workplace Bullying and Harassment" issue of Visions Journal, 2020, 15 (4), pp. 27-29
The Bakery Bully
From the "Workplace Bullying and Harassment" issue of Visions Journal, 2020, 15 (4), pp. 24-26
I moved from Calgary, Alberta, to a small town in eastern British Columbia on April 1, 2017. Coincidentally, it was also my first day of sobriety: I had just stopped drinking alcohol.
Mind the Bar
Hospitality comes with unique stressors. As a bartender, Alex must deal with harassment and violence from customers. People who work in the food and beverage industry face significant aggression and violence, and many use alcohol and other drugs to cope with their experiences at work. Alex started Mind the Bar, a mental health platform to raise awareness and connect others with resources and support.
