Both the B.C. Human Rights Code and Hospital Employees’ Union's (HEU) Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) collective agreement state that you cannot be harassed because of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, political belief, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or for any of the other reasons listed in the B.C. Human Rights Code.
If you believe you are being harassed but not for one of the reasons in the human rights code, you may not be covered by the complaints investigation process. For example, if you feel you are being treated unfairly because someone does not like you or they are using their position to intimidate you, contact your shop steward or your HEU representative for advice.
The first thing that is important to know is whether the complaint is against another HEU member or not.
- If the complaint is against another HEU member, you may contact Ana Mohammed at 604-939-5094 or Robyn Gervais at 604-612-7203 for assistance.
- If your complaint is regarding sexual harassment, you may contact Shelley Ball at 604-218-5249.
- If your complaint is against someone who is not an HEU member, including management, you may direct your call to Toni Beharrell at 604-314-7725 or Yuki Matsuno at 604-307-7463.
These are Vancouver phone numbers. If this is a long-distance call for you, you can save costs by leaving a message with the investigator and they will call you back.
It is your employer's responsibility to maintain a working environment that is free from discriminatory harassment. We know that it is sometimes difficult to talk about discrimination, that is why HEU has negotiated a confidential process to try to resolve human rights-based harassment of our members whether it involves another HEU member or someone else you work with, including management.
Here are seven key points about the process.
- If you are an HEU member, you can make a direct phone call to one of the complaints investigators.
- The process is designed to be confidential. If this is a concern for you, be sure to talk to the complaints investigator about this.
- They will give you more information about the various things you can do, including the right to have a union representative if you wish.
- One option you will be told about is mediation. A process of trying to find a solution that both sides can agree to. The complaints investigators all have experience in this area and will help in whatever way you feel comfortable with. If you cannot reach a satisfactory agreement with the other person, there are other options available.
- The complaints investigator can also make recommendations to make sure you have a harassment free environment at work. However, they cannot make a recommendation for the discipline or discharge of anyone.
- You should know that it is against the law if anyone tries to retaliate or even threatens to do something to get back at you because you have made a harassment complaint. Be sure to tell the complaints investigator if this happens to you.
- Whether you make a complaint or not, it is your own decision. It is also up to you to decide what to do and how far to go. You can stop the process at any time.
The HEU upholds the right of all our members to work in an environment free from harassment including sexual harassment. HEU is committed to effectively representing members who complain of harassment. We hope this information has been useful.
Please contact either one of the complaints investigators previously listed or your HEU representative for more information.