SECTION 4: PROGRAMS - - - - - Subject: Harassment

Harassment Policy

The Alberta Bobsleigh Association, in co-operation with the Board of Directors, members, athletes and officials, is committed to a healthy, harassment-free environment supportive of the dignity, self-esteem and enjoyment of all program participants.

The Alberta Bobsleigh Association strives to provide programs and activities that are free of personal harassment, sexual harassment, intimidation and exploitation.

To this extent, the Alberta Bobsleigh Association has developed this policy intended to prevent personal and sexual harassment of its members and program participants and to deal quickly and effectively with any incident that might occur.

Alberta Bobsleigh Association has a “zero tolerance policy” in relation to all forms of abuse and harassment. Zero tolerance means that no level of abuse or harassment is acceptable.

Definition

Personal Harassment: Behavior which is directed at or offensive to another individual and is based on personal characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, sex, physical characteristics or mannerisms.

Sexual Harassment: Behavior characterized as unwanted sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors and other unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. It is implicitly or explicitly suggested that submission to or rejection of the conduct will be a factor in participation and advancement in the Association programs and activities:
2. The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the individuals participation or performance or creating an intimidating or hostile environment.

Harassment may be related to any of the discriminatory grounds contained in the Canadian Human Rights Act. Such behavior may be verbal, physical, deliberate, unsolicited or unwelcome. It may be one incident or a series of incidents. While the following is not an exhaustive list, harassment may include any of these matters if a reasonable person ought to have known the behavior would be unwelcome or offensive:

• verbal abuse or threats
• unwelcome remarks, jokes innuendoes or taunting
• practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment
• unwelcome invitations, requests or other activities, whether indirect or explicit that cause intimidation or fear
• condescension or paternalism which undermine self-respect
• unnecessary physical contact such as touching, patting, pinching or punching
• physical assault

Conduct need not be intentional to amount to harassment. If the conduct is offensive or intimidating to others it will be considered harassing whether the individual intends it or not. It will not be tolerated within our Association.

Procedure

If a member is being harassed, whether it be personal or sexual, the member should:

• Tell the individual his/her behavior is unwelcome and ask him/her to stop.
• Keep a record of incidents (date, times, locations, possible witnesses, what happened, your response). A member does not have to keep a record of events in order to file a complaint but a record can strengthen a member’s case and help a member remember details over time.
• File a complaint. If, after asking the harasser to stop his/her behavior, if the harassment continues report the problem to one of the following individuals:
  a) Association Technical Director
  b) Association President
  c) Member of the Association Board of Directors
  d) Club President

You also have the right to contact the Alberta Human Rights Commission to file a complaint of sexual harassment and, if circumstances warrant it, ask the police to file a charge of assault.

Dealing with a complaint

• Once a complaint is received, it will be kept confidential. An investigation will be undertaken immediately all necessary steps taken to resolve the problem.
• An investigation will be conducted by a disciplinary committee. All information will be kept in confidence.
• If the investigation reveals evidence to support the complaint of personal or sexual harassment, the harasser will be disciplined appropriately. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the association and association programs.
• If the investigation fails to find evidence to support the complaint, there will be NO documentation concerning the complaint.
• Regardless of the outcome of a personal or sexual harassment complaint made in good faith, the individual lodging the complaint, as well as anyone providing information will be protected from any form of retaliation or harassment by members of the association or affiliated bobsleigh organizations.

Commitment of the Association

The Alberta Bobsleigh Association is committed to the principle of an harassment free environment by:

• Implementing an education program on harassment for its members.
• Responding to complaints or to situations with potential for complaints.
• Investigating complaints and following the harassment complaint procedure.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of the individual(s) concerned, except where disclosure is necessary for the purposes of investigating the complaint or taking disciplinary measures in relation to the alleged complaint if discipline is being imposed.