Harassment
Harassment is unwelcome comments or actions such as bullying, intimidation, humiliation, offensive jokes, racial slurs or comments. It can also be unwanted physical contact or showing sexually explicit images. With harassment, a person is denied equal access and equal opportunity to participate fully in their work, a rented home, or a public service.
The NWT Human Rights Act protects against harassment that is linked to a ground and that falls within one of the areas covered by the Act. For example:
- ABC Company hires Mike. Mike is aboriginal. His co-workers treat him harshly, talk down to him, and tell « Indian jokes ». They also write racist graffiti on the bathroom walls. (Harassment based on race.)
- Anthony is gay. At school, other students call him « faggot », laugh at him in the hallways, and push him into his locker.
- Anne is the only woman in her workplace. Her co-workers put up posters of naked women and tell her sexually explicit jokes.
→ For information about the types of discrimination covered by the Act, visit Areas & Grounds.
→ For information about sexual harassment, read Sexual Harassment.
→ For information about workplace harassment, read Workplace Harassment.
If you have questions or concerns about a specific situation,
call our free confidential inquiry service: 1-888-669-5575.
