Standing Up to Gender-based Violence at Work
November 25 to December 10 marks 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Every one of us has a daughter, mother, sister, partner, or friend who goes to work expecting to come home safe. But too many women continue to face harassment, abuse, and violence on the job.
The problem is real
These are current statistics, current experiences. These realities need our attention and vigilance.
Be part of the solution: What YOU can do
Make space
Invite all workers into the conversation. Don’t let silence create unsafe environments.
Speak up and be a real ally
When women are excluded, demeaned or threatened, act. Do not stand by. Call it out. Provide support for the person impacted. Tell your union steward.
Know the process
Make sure everyone on your team knows how to report incidents safely and confidentially.
Build it into culture
Use toolbox talks, mentorships and meetings to remind each other what respect looks like.
Escalate when appropriate
Employers are required to act when an incident is reported. For union members, know who your union steward is and report the matter to them. Your union steward is the first point of contact to represent workers, enforce the collective agreement, and resolve workplace issues. If your steward is not available or has not resolved the matter, speak to someone on your local union executive board. Ask for timely updates on next steps.
Be part of the solution: What local unions can do
IBEW Canada and other industry allies offer a variety of relevant educational workshops. These workshops can be requested by your local union leadership and held at your union halls to help educate all levels of union members and leaders on how to recognize and address workplace issues.
IBEW Canada-Facilitated Courses
Workplace Respect & Dignity–Bullying
IBEW Strong (Train the Trainer)
IBEW Strong Bias and Belonging Training
Bystander to Upstander Training
IBEW local union leadership can request courses here.
Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)-Facilitated Course
Domestic Violence in the Workplace
BC Centre For Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) and Hamilton Interval House-Facilitated Course
Be More Than a Bystander (Train-the-Trainer)
Why it matters for us
The union movement has always stood for equal rights for all workers. That means full equality in opportunity and full dignity in treatment. If someone feels unsafe at work, it will be nearly impossible for them to focus on the task at hand. In the sectors we represent, this focus is imperative to ensure the safety of everyone on site. Safety for women at work isn’t a “women’s issue”–it’s a labour issue.
Together, we can make our workplaces safer for every member and every worker.
Let’s change the stats.