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300-BXB-01-IGDO © 2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
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Part 1: Experience with Harassment in the Workplace
Tip: The purpose of Part 1 is to help you collect baseline information on the frequency and type of
harassment behaviour that may be affecting your staff in the workplace, and to give you a sense of
whether incidents are being suppressed.
Repeating the questions in Part 1 annually, as well as the full questionnaire, will help you see
whether things are improving, staying the same, or getting worse. In fact, it's important not to
change your questions from one year to the next because if you do, it won't be possible to compare
the year-to-year results.
We recommend that the questionnaire start with a clear description of workplace harassment,
so that you have some assurance that respondents are answering in the same way. If you have
developed a more detailed description of workplace harassment, incorporate it into this section.
This survey is based on the examples listed in this section. Please read the examples carefully before you
begin answering the questions.
Harassment in the workplace, including sexual harassment, can take many forms, ranging from incivility
to bullying. This includes a course of vexatious comment or conduct that takes place virtually through
the use of information and communications technology. Examples include:
Non-verbal harassment,
– e.g. mocking or demeaning facial expressions, body language, tone of voice
Verbal harassment,
– e.g. repeated snide or aggressive remarks, insults, inappropriate jokes/comments,
argumentativeness
Social harassment,
– e.g. scapegoating, backstabbing, spreading malicious rumors or false information
– e.g. circulating negative comments or images through social media or other media
Sexual harassment
– e.g. uninvited or inappropriate touching
– e.g. implied or explicit expectation of sexual favour from someone in a position of power
– e.g. unwelcome comments about sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression
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