Campaign looking to show affect of bullying, harassment – and consequences
Quebec’s workplace standards board is shedding light on psychological health risks in the workplace with a new campaign.
The Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST)’s campaign has a tagline “At work, psychological health should never hang by a thread”.
The campaign underscores the emotional toll that negative work environments and unaddressed harassment can have on employees.
“This aims in particular to raise awareness among the Quebec population about behaviours and events that can affect psychological health at work, and the consequences that these can lead to,” said the Quebec government. “Regardless of the sector of activity, psychosocial risks related to work are very real, as are those for physical health.”
Its narrative follows Simon, a fictional office worker whose experience captures the essence of psychological harassment and its effects on employees' mental well-being.
“Simon works in an office. One morning, in his cubicle, he is on the phone and is yelled at through the receiver by an angry customer. Discouraged, he takes off his headset and tries to focus on his next task. Later that day, two colleagues scorn him and laugh at him after they intentionally bump into him,” the story goes.
“At dinner time, Simon eats alone while his colleagues have gathered and are laughing in a group a little further away. Sad and isolated, he decides to leave the room. In the afternoon, he gives a presentation to his team. All his colleagues ignore him, talk among themselves and look at their phones. He then decides to take refuge in the toilets. He has only one desire in mind: for this day to end.”
It went on to tell how Simon dealt with the situation.
The awareness campaign will run from Nov. 11, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2025. Advertising messages will be broadcast on traditional and digital television, radio, web placements, social media posts and posters near the office towers.
Previously, a former human resources director of the Calgary Police Service (CPS) claimed that the workplace is rife with harassment, bullying and discrimination – and she experienced it firsthand.
People who are the targets of bullying may experience a range of effects. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) said that these include:
And bullying affects the overall "health" of an organization. An "unhealthy" workplace can have many effects. In general, these effects include:
Previously, Canada Post offices in Quebec stepped up to show their support for a colleague of theirs who had been a victim of bullying and harassment due to their sexual orientation.
