Human Resources Division

Definitions

In connection with its commitment to promoting positive behaviour and fostering the dignity of all members of the University community, the University upholds its obligation to protect staff and other members of the University community from inappropriate bullying, harassing or discriminating behaviour, and from all inappropriate conduct on the part of others which has or might have a damaging effect on their health.

In the spirit of the University's positive definitions of Dignity@Work, behaviour is defined as inappropriate if it is:

  • Unwanted by the recipient.
  • Perceived by the recipient as violating his or her dignity and/or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
  • Having regard to all the circumstances, including the recipient's perception, the behaviour could reasonably be considered as having that effect.

Inappropriate behaviour includes a number of specific behaviours, including. bullying and harassment because of gender; Transgender; race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability, marital, civil partnership, partnership or parental status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity religion or belief, or age).

Racial harassment

Racial harassment is an incident or a series of incidents intended or likely to intimidate, offend or harm an individual or group because of their ethnic origin, colour, race, religion or nationality, and a racist incident is any incident that is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person (MacPherson Report 1999).

Such behaviour may include:

  • Derogatory name calling.
  • Verbal threats, insults and racist jokes.
  • Display of racially offensive material.
  • Exclusion from normal workplace conversation or activities.
  • Physical attack.
  • Encouraging others to commit any such acts.

Homophobic bullying and harassment

Homophobic bullying motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation can be considered to constitute hate incidents (Equality and Human Rights Commission 2009).

This can take many forms, including:

  • Unwanted physical contact.
  • Threatened or actual physical abuse or attack.
  • Verbal abuse such as suggestive remarks, jokes or name calling.
  • Display or distribution of offensive material or graffiti.
  • Non-verbal abuse such as mimicry, offensive gestures or body language.