INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / OCTOBER 10, 1989

 

 

 

Dealing with Sexual Harassment on the Job

Your boss approaches. He leers
and then proceeds to tell you a
series of off-colour jokes.

A fellow employee is continual-
ly brushing up against you and
making lewd remarks.

“This is sexual harassment and
it can be stopped,” says Susan O’-
Donnell, provincial coordinator of
the British Columbia Human
Rights Coalition. The important
thing to remember, she says, is “it’s

 

not your fault.”

“It is not a worker’s respon-
sibility to ensure that sexual harass-
ment doesn’t occur,” she explains.
“The employer is legally respon-
sible.”

O’Donnell teaches a workshop
on sexual harassment in the
workplace. The class, to be held at
Douglas College in New
Westminster, is part of the Labour
Studies Program organized

 

Athletic Uodate

 

Parry Leads in College Golf

After seventy-two holes of play BRYN PARRY of Douglas College has
taken over the lead in the B.C.C.A.A. Golf Championships. He followed his
rounds of 74 and 77 at Fair Winds Golf Course in Parksville on September
21 and 22 with rounds of 81 and 75 at the demanding Rivershore Golf
Course in Kamloops last weekend. His total of 307 puts him one stroke
ahead of Paul Whittington of Cariboo College and nine strokes ahead of

Keven Greenard of Malaspina College.

Team standings to date are:

Malaspina College

Douglas College

Cariboo College

Fraser Valley College

Royal Roads Military College

Aewnnm

954
991
1,020
1,067
1,288

The next two rounds will be played at Ledgeview Golf Course October
14 and 15, followed by the final rounds at Seymour October 21 and 22. m

Douglas Hosts Highschool Volleyball

On September 30 - October 1, the Douglas College Women’s Volleyball
team hosted the 2nd Annual Royal Classic Tournament for Highschool

senior girls’ teams.

This year’s edition played host to 20 of the premiere teams in the
province. Competition was close and very exciting with West Vancouver
defeating Sentinel 2-0 (15-5, 15-6) in the championship final.

In the consolation final, St. Pat’s defeated Penticton 2-0 (15-13, 15-6).

Tournament M.V.P. was Samantha Carter from Sentinel Secondary,
while the allstar team included the likes of Tiffany Martino and Lisa
Humphry from West Van., Teresa Garthwaite, Penticton, Denise De’-
Arleaveria, Sir Charles Tupper and Rachel Rogan of St. Pat's. @

AERA 2 RE PAPE OD A RRR RA 9 RT A ND AN a I MT

 

through Capilano College. It is
designed to teach people what
sexual harassment is and what
people can do about it. “It’s for
two groups — those who may be
experiencing sexual harassment in
the workplace, and those who want
to know the laws involved.”

In the workshop, she defines
sexual harassment, — what it is
and what it isn’t — explains why it
is against the law, and outlines
what employees can do to stop it.

Sexual harassment is, essential-
ly, unwelcome sexual attention, O’-
Donnell explains. It is repeated
crude verbal suggestions or jokes,
inappropriate touching, leering and
obscene gestures. “But it’s not
about sex,” she explains, “it’s about
power.” And, she adds, “it’s
against the law.”

So, what do you do if you are
the victim of sexual harassment?

“There are four options,” O'-
Donnell says. “You can resign and
cut your losses. You can file a
human rights complaint at the time
the incident occurs or within six
months of resignation or dismiss-
al.” Employees who belong to a
union also have the option of filing
a grievance against management.
Those who don’t belong to a union
can register a complaint with the
personnel department, the super-
visor or the company owner.

O’Donnell says it is the victims
of the harassment who must make
the decision about how they want
to deal with the problem.

Sexual Harassment in the
Workplace is scheduled for Satur-
day, October 14 from 9:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. at Douglas College in
New Westminster.

For further information on the
workshop, contact Susan O’-
Donnell at 872-5638. To register,
call 527-5479. m

 

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