Approval: Board of Trustees

Responsibility: Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion)

Date: Approved May 7, 2021 / Effective September 1, 2021 (Revised May 12, 2023, September 29, 2023)

To file a complaint or report, or for FAQs and training modules, click here.

1. Purpose / Reason for Policy

2. Policy Statement

3. Scope of this Policy

4. Resources and Information

5. Alternative Resolution

6. Roles and Responsibilities

7. Policy Review

8. Transition

APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX 2: POLICY FLOWCHART

APPENDIX 3: COMPLAINT PROCEDURE FLOWCHART

APPENDIX 4: REPORTING PROCEDURE FLOWCHART

Capitalized terms used in this policy are defined in the Glossary of Terms.

1. PURPOSE / REASON FOR POLICY

1.1 This Policy supports the prevention of Harassment and Discrimination at the University and the effective response to Reports and Complaints of Harassment, Discrimination, and Reprisal.

1.2 The processes supporting this Policy include:

a. A Complaint Procedure: An individual (“Complainant”) who feels they have experienced Discrimination, Harassment or Reprisal can file a Complaint under the Harassment and Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Individuals who do not want to file a Complaint can also pursue an alternative resolution (see Section 5); and,

b. A Reporting Procedure: An individual who witnesses or becomes aware of Harassment, Discrimination, Reprisal or Systemic Discrimination (“Reporter”) is encouraged to submit a Report under the Harassment and Discrimination Reporting Procedure. A Person of Authority who witnesses or becomes aware of Workplace Harassment, Discrimination in a Workplace or Reprisal must submit a Report.

1.3 The University also has a Policy on Sexual Violence Involving Queen’s University Students, that describes how Complaints of sexual violence (which includes Sexual Harassment) involving students will be handled. Students who have experienced sexual violence should refer to the Sexual Violence Policy and can contact the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator for support and advice about the supports and processes available to them.

2. POLICY STATEMENT

2.1 Queen's University (“Queen’s” or “the University”) values maintaining an environment free of, and will not tolerate, Harassment, Discrimination and Reprisal. This includes Harassment and Discrimination on the basis of race, gender identity, ancestry, gender expression, place of origin, age (18 years or older), colour, record of offences (employment only), ethnic origin, marital status, citizenship, family status, creed, sexual orientation, sex, and disability.

2.2 It is the responsibility of all members of the University Community to strive to create an environment free of Harassment and Discrimination in their areas of responsibility and in their interactions with others. Included within that responsibility is the pursuit of an awareness of what constitutes Harassment and Discrimination, a knowledge of the procedures that are in place for dealing with allegations of Harassment and Discrimination, and cooperation in the processing of Complaints and Reports made under this Policy. Excellence in teaching, learning, research, scholarship, and the service of the University and that of its graduates in and to the community at large, the nation, and the community of nations can only be achieved when all members of the University Community are free to work, live and learn in an environment which does not Harass or Discriminate against them or tolerate Reprisals.

2.3 Every member of the University Community needs to understand that behaviours influenced by or that demonstrate evidence of conscious or unconscious bias, prejudice, negative stereotypes, etc., are often the root cause of Harassment and Discriminatory conduct.

Whether or not conduct meets the threshold for the definitions of Discrimination or Harassment in this Policy, conduct influenced by conscious or unconscious bias, prejudice, negative stereotypes, etc., can nevertheless impact participation by a member(s) of the University Community in the University’s living, learning, or working environments.

The University's approach to combatting such conduct will often be remedial and will include education and initiatives to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and indigenization on campus. Queen’s will foster respectful and inclusive living, learning, and working environments for all University Community members.

2.4 Queen’s will provide information and instruction to University Community members about Harassment and Discrimination, and about this Policy and its Procedures.

2.5 Queen’s will act promptly to resolve concerns about Harassment, Discrimination, and Reprisals and will be proactive in the removal of identified systemic barriers.

2.6 Queen’s will respect the privacy of individuals involved in Complaints and Reports and will collect, use, and disclose their personal information only for legitimate, stated purposes, as defined in this Policy and its Procedures.

2.7 Queen’s will respond to Complaints and Reports fairly and promptly.

2.8 Queen’s will keep Complainants and Respondents reasonably apprised of the status of investigations.

2.9 Making Complaints or Reports in bad faith or taking action to undermine the purpose of this Policy is prohibited.

3. SCOPE OF THIS POLICY

3.1 This Policy covers Harassment, Discrimination and Reprisal where:

the conduct takes place on University Property;
the conduct takes place at a University activity or on University business;
a University community member engages in conduct while representing or claiming to represent the University or an organization affiliated with the University;
the conduct adversely affects the reasonable participation by member(s) of the University Community in the University’s living, learning, or working environments; or,
the University has reasonable grounds to believe the conduct creates a risk to the health or safety of a member(s) of the University Community in the University’s living, learning, or working environments.

3.2 This Policy and its Procedures do not override or diminish the rights provided to employees under collective agreements. Where there is a conflict between this Policy or its Procedures and a collective agreement, the terms of the collective agreement shall govern.

3.3 Every bargaining unit member has the right to seek advice and assistance from their union at any point in a process under this Policy. An employee attending a meeting convened under this Policy may bring a union representative as their Advisor.

3.4 This Policy does not preclude individuals from pursuing resolution through external processes, including those offered by the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, the police, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

3.5 This policy does not apply to employees of Bader College, who shall be governed by policies and procedures as enacted by the College.

3.6 This policy does apply to students and employees of Queen’s University while studying, working, or living at Bader College and in those cases the University is empowered to modify the Policy or its applicable Procedures in order to comply with the legal requirements of the United Kingdom.

4. RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

4.1 Faculty, staff, and students can seek out advice and information about Harassment and/or Discrimination from a variety of University resources. The following are official resources of the University that have undertaken training and education about the Policy and its Procedures that are available to provide advice and information on behalf of the University:

Campus Security & Emergency Services (“Campus Security”)
Environmental Health and Safety (“EH&S”)
Faculty Relations
Four Directions Indigenous Student Center
Faith and Spiritual Life
Human Resources
Human Rights and Equity Office
- Human Rights Advisory Services
- Equity Services
- Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator
Office of Indigenous Initiatives
University Ombudsperson (“Ombudsperson")
Student Affairs (e.g., Student Conduct Office, Residence Life, Athletics & Recreation, Four Directions Indigenous Student Center)
Workplace Managers

4.2 The person seeking resources or information from any of the above offices will be told about:

this Policy and the definitions of Harassment and/or Discrimination;
the options available to address their inquiry or concern, including the Complaint or Reporting Procedure; and,
whether and how their problem might be resolved through alternative resolution (see Section 5 below), including speaking or writing to the person(s) whose conduct is of concern.

4.3 When providing resources or information staff in the above offices should consult on a confidential, no-names basis (unless the individual consents to their name being disclosed) with Faculty Relations, Human Resources, Student Affairs, and/or the Human Rights and Equity Office, as appropriate.

4.4 The above offices are resources available for information and advice; they can assist a Complainant in preparing a Complaint, but those wishing to file a Complaint may also do so directly to the Office of the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion).

5. ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTION

5.1 The University recognizes that a variety of options and responses are required to be responsive to the needs of University Community members concerning issues of Harassment, Discrimination or Reprisal, without them necessarily having to invoke a formal Complaint and investigation procedure.

5.2 University Community members are encouraged to consult with Human Rights Advisory Services or the Office of the University Ombudsperson, who can help explore options for, or facilitate, an alternative resolution; these offices might also refer individuals to another appropriate University office to do so, including the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.

5.3 If an alternative resolution deals with the conduct of an employee, Human Resources or Faculty Relations, as appropriate, must be consulted about any proposed alternative resolution to ensure the requirements of any applicable collective agreement and of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act are met.

5.4 If an alternative resolution deals with the conduct of a student, the Office of the Assistant Dean (Student Conduct and CARE) must be consulted about any proposed alternative resolution.

5.5 If an alternative resolution is reached, the terms of the resolution will be formalized in writing; an anonymized and brief summary of the issue(s), the process undertaken to reach resolution, and the outcome of the resolution must be reported to the Office of Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) using the file number, if any, assigned by the Intake Assessment Team.

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 Person(s) of Authority

a. The Principal’s Senior Leadership Team, senior administrators and all Persons of Authority will take steps to prevent Harassment and Discrimination, act when they become aware of instances of Harassment and Discrimination and support and promote this Policy and its Procedures.

b. Queen’s will ensure Persons of Authority are provided with information and instruction that will enable them to recognize, assess, and address Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, and to understand how to respond appropriately when such incidents are alleged.

c. Persons of Authority must submit a Report to the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) with respect to incidents of Workplace Harassment, Discrimination or Reprisal that they witness or otherwise become aware of reliable information about Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal, or if they become aware of a policy, process, or other circumstance they believe gives rise to Systemic Discrimination. Disclosure of information about Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, or Reprisal to a Person of Authority is not intended to be used as a proxy for a person who believes they have experienced Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, or Reprisal not using the Complaint Procedure.

6.2 Employees, students, volunteers, and visitors to University Property

a. Employees, students, volunteers and visitors must not engage in Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal.

b. Employees, students, volunteers and visitors are encouraged to use the Reporting Procedure to report incidents of Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal when they witness such incidents.

c. Employees and volunteers shall, and students and visitors are expected to, participate in any investigation or inquiry commenced under the Complaint Procedure or the Reporting Procedure.

6.3 The Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion)

a. The Office of the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) receives all written Complaints and Reports on behalf of the University. The mandate of the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) does not include providing advisory services to employees or students about Harassment and Discrimination or about procedural issues related to this Policy and its Procedures.

b. The Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) is the Chair of the Intake Assessment Team.

c. The Office of the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) keeps records of all Reports, Complaints, and early resolution agreements/arrangements for the purpose of policy administration and for the purpose of reporting on statistics and trends.

d. The Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) is responsible for maintaining this Policy and its related Procedures.

e. The University Secretary, as Chair of the Policy Advisory Sub‐committee, will ensure that designated new policies and policies that undergo review receive an equity impact assessment to identify potential elements of systemic/institutional inequity against an equity seeking group or groups¹.

6.4 The Human Rights and Equity Office in collaboration with campus partners the Human Rights and Equity Office provides awareness training initiatives aimed at: (i) preventing and addressing Human Rights Code-based Harassment and Discrimination, including Systemic Discrimination, (ii) addressing underlying forms of oppression (e.g., ableism, racism, sexism, hetero/cis-sexism), and (iii) promoting an inclusive campus environment.

6.5 Human Rights Advisory Services

a. Human Rights Advisory Services is a unit within the Human Rights and Equity Office, under the leadership of the Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion). Human Rights Advisory Services is responsible for awareness-raising and training initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing Discrimination, Systemic Discrimination and Human Rights Code-based Harassment (i.e., Discriminatory Harassment), addressing underlying ideologies and conduct that may give rise to oppression (e.g., ageism, ableism, racism, sexism, hetero/cis sexism) and promoting an inclusive campus that exemplifies a climate of understanding and mutual respect for all members of the University Community. Human Rights Advisory Services is available to the entire University Community to provide training, information, and guidance with respect to policies, procedures, publications, and materials to ensure that they do not include terms that are discriminatory or have a discriminatory effect. However, such education is a broader responsibility that requires many units and/or individuals across the University, including academic leaders, EH&S, Human Resources, Faculty Relations, Staff Managers and Student Affairs, to cooperate and collaborate with Human Rights Advisory Services in this endeavour.

b. Human Rights Advisory Services is also available to provide information to individuals who perceive that they have been subject to Discrimination or Discriminatory Harassment and to ensure such individuals are fully aware of this Policy and related procedures, as well as procedural alternatives. The service provided by Human Rights Advisory Services is confidential, though Human Rights Advisory Services provides broad advisory services, with an important responsibility for helping the University maintain a living, learning, and working environment that is safe and free of Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment. This may require the sharing of information in certain circumstances, and Human Rights Advisory Services shall balance the competing concerns in deciding when and how to share information, including by making a Report under the Reporting Procedure. Human Rights Advisory Services shall encourage individuals to share limited information in initial consultations and advise individuals about the limits of confidentiality in working with individuals.

c. Human Rights Advisory Services may assist to facilitate an Alternative Resolution under Section 5 of this Policy.

d. Human Rights Advisory Services may initiate a Report or assist a Complainant with preparing a Complaint but does not adjudicate Complaints or initiate the Complaint Procedure, nor does it serve as an advocate for any individuals involved in a matter under this Policy.

e. The Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion)will receive Reports of Systemic Discrimination from the Intake Assessment Team and may provide advice to the appropriate Vice-Principal in their inquiry into the Report. The Associate Vice‐Principal (Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion) may review the policies and procedures implicated in a Report of Systemic Discrimination and, in collaboration with the University Ombudsperson, provide recommendations about changes to address Systemic Discrimination embedded in those policies and procedures.

6.6 The Office of the University Ombudsperson

a. The Office of the University Ombudsperson is an institutional office with a mandate that includes advising employees and students about processes and procedural issues related to this Policy and its Procedures. This may include, for example, providing advice to a witness or Respondent involved in the investigation of a Complaint or Report.

b. The services provided by the Office of the Ombudsperson are confidential, though the Office of the Ombudsperson is an advisor with an important responsibility for helping the University maintain a living, learning, and working environment that is safe and free of Discrimination and Harassment. This may require the sharing of information in certain circumstances, and the Office of the Ombudsperson shall balance the competing concerns in deciding when and how to share information, including by making a Report under the Reporting Procedure. The Office of the University Ombudsperson shall encourage individuals to share limited information in initial consultations and advise individuals about the limits of confidentiality in working with individuals.

c. The Office of the University Ombudsperson may assist to facilitate an Alternative Resolution under Section 5 of this Policy.

d. The Ombudsperson may initiate a Report but does not adjudicate Complaints or initiate the Complaint Procedure on behalf of individuals, nor does it serve as an advocate for any individuals involved in a matter under this Policy.

e. The Ombudsperson will be copied by the Intake Assessment Team on Reports of Systemic Discrimination and may assist the appropriate Vice-Principal in their inquiry into the Report. The Ombudsperson will review policies and procedures implicated in a Report of Systemic Discrimination and in collaboration with Human Rights Advisory Services provide recommendations about changes to address Systemic Discrimination embedded in those policies and procedures.

6.7 The Complaints and Investigations Office

a. The Complaints & Investigations Office receives Complaints and Reports referred to it for investigation by the Intake Assessment Team when the Respondent(s) is not a student, with the exception of Medical Trainees (i.e., medical “Residents”) enrolled in the School of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education Program (See (b) below).

b. The Complaints & Investigations Office receives Complaints and Reports referred to it for investigation by the Intake Assessment Team when the matter involves a medical Resident, either as Complainant or Respondent. The Complaints and Investigations Office will liaise with the Office of the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Medical Education) to provide guidance and support for the investigation under the Resident Harassment and Discrimination Investigation Procedure.

c. The Complaints & Investigations Office investigates Complaints and Reports referred to it by the Intake Assessment Team or, as appropriate, engages external investigators to do so and is the University’s primary point of contact with those investigators for process and file management issues related to the investigation.

d. The Complaints & Investigations Office consults with Campus Security and Emergency Services, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Faculty Relations and Human Resources, as appropriate, when undertaking or managing any investigation referred to it by the Intake Assessment Team.

6.8 The Non‐Academic Misconduct Intake Office (“NAMIO”)

Complaints and Reports submitted to the Office of the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) alleging a student(s) (other than a medical Resident) engaged in conduct contrary to this Policy will, if referred for investigation by the Intake Assessment Team, normally be directed to the NAMIO, to be assessed and assigned to the appropriate NAM Unit under the Student Code of Conduct and its Procedures.

6.9 Human Resources

a. Human Resources, in conjunction with EH&S, Faculty Relations, and the Complaints & Investigations Office, is responsible for providing managers and staff with appropriate training and instruction with respect to Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, including notifying them of this Policy and its related procedures

b. Human Resources may submit a Report in response to reliable information it receives concerning Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal or if it becomes aware of a policy, process, or other circumstance it believes gives rise to Systemic Discrimination, but disclosing information about Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal to a member of the Human Resources Department is not intended to be used as a proxy for a person who believes they have experienced Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, or Reprisal not using the Complaint Procedure.

c. Human Resources will ensure that access to this Policy and related procedures is available on the Human Resources website.

6.10 Faculty Relations

a. Faculty Relations, in conjunction with EH&S, Human Resources, and the Complaints & Investigations Office, is responsible for providing faculty members and other academic staff with appropriate training and instruction with respect to Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, including notifying them of this Policy and its related procedures.

b. The Faculty Relations Office may submit a Report in response to reliable information it receives concerning Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal or if it becomes aware of a policy, process, or other circumstance it believes gives rise to Systemic Discrimination, but disclosing information about Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal to a member of Faculty Relations is not intended to be used as a proxy for a person who believes they have experienced Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, or Reprisal not using the Complaint Procedure

6.11 Department of Environmental Health and Safety

a. EH&S has the primary responsibility for overseeing compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including requirements related to Workplace Harassment.

b. EH&S, in conjunction with Human Resources, Faculty Relations, and the Complaints & Investigations Office, is responsible for providing employees with appropriate information and instruction with respect to Workplace Harassment, including notifying them of this Policy and its related procedures.

c. EH&S will ensure all Persons of Authority are provided with information and instruction that will enable them to recognize, assess, and address Workplace Harassment and will ensure Persons of Authority are aware of this Policy and its related procedures.

d. EH&S may submit a Report in response to reliable information it receives concerning Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal or if it becomes aware of a policy, process, or other circumstance it believes gives rise to Systemic Discrimination, but disclosing information about Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal to a member of Faculty Relations is not intended to be used as a proxy for a person who believes they have experienced Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, or Reprisal not using the Complaint Procedure.

e. EH&S will ensure that access to this Policy and related procedures is available on the established health and safety bulletin boards and its website.

6.12 Campus Security and Emergency Services

a. Campus Security and Emergency Services supports the handling of Reports and Complaints by engaging with others in the development of individualized safety plans and interim measures.

b. Campus Security is ordinarily responsible for addressing Reports and Complaints about visitor conduct.

c. Campus Security may submit a Report in response to reliable information it receives concerning Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal or if it becomes aware of a policy, process, or other circumstance it believes gives rise to Systemic Discrimination, but disclosing information about Workplace Harassment, Discrimination, or Reprisal to a member of Campus Security and Emergency Services is not intended to be used as a proxy for a person who believes they have experienced Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, or Reprisal not using the Complaint Procedure.

7. POLICY REVIEW

7.1 The Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) will ensure that this Policy, and all related Procedures, are reviewed as often as is necessary, and in any event, at least annually. Human Resources, Faculty Relations, the Student Conduct Office, Human Rights Advisory Services, the Complaints & Investigations Office, and EH&S will participate in comprehensive reviews, with EH&S being responsible for consulting with the University's Joint Health and Safety Committees, as appropriate.

8. TRANSITION

8.1 As of its effective date, this Policy, together with the Complaint Procedure and the Reporting Procedure, replaces and supersedes (i) the Senate Harassment/Discrimination Complaint Policy and Procedure, and, (ii) the Interim Workplace Harassment & Discrimination Policy, together with all associated and derivative procedures and any authority or provisions enacted in relation to them, except if an investigation, hearing or appeal has commenced prior to the effective date. All such investigations, hearings or appeals shall be completed in accordance with the policy and procedures that applied on the date the investigation, hearing, or appeal commenced.

8.2 The effective date of this Policy and its Complaint and Reporting Procedures shall be September 1, 2021.

8.3 After the effective date, all references to the Senate Harassment/Discrimination Complaint Policy and Procedure and the Interim Workplace Harassment & Discrimination Policy in any other applicable policy or procedure shall be deemed to refer to this Policy and its Procedures and all other such policies and procedures shall be amended accordingly as soon as practical, but in any event no later than their next regular review.

[1] Adapted from Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Policy, University of Manitoba Policy, Disruption of all forms of Racism

Contact Officer: Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion)

Date for Next Review: Year/Month/Day

Related Policies, Procedures and Guidelines:

Policies Superseded by This Policy:

Interim Workplace Harassment & Discrimination Policy
Senate Harassment/Discrimination Complaint Policy and Procedure

APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

1. "Discrimination":

a. is a distinction relating to personal characteristics of an individual or group based on a ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code that has the effect of imposing burdens, obligations or disadvantages on such individual or group not imposed upon others, or that withholds or limits access to opportunities, benefits, and advantages available to other members of society;

b. can be direct, indirect, or systemic in nature;

c. need not be intentional;

d. includes a distinction imposed because of a person’s or group’s relationship to, association with, or dealings with, another person or persons who are identified by a protected ground; and,

e. includes a failure to accommodate the needs of individuals related to one or more grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. The duty to accommodate must be fulfilled in accordance with the principles of dignity, individualization, and inclusion; but,

f. does not include restricting membership in a special interest group that is primarily engaged in serving interests of people identified by a prohibited ground to people who are similarly identified². Similarly, Discrimination does not include admissions pathways at the University that are limited to, and designed for the benefit of, members of a group or groups that are protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

“Systemic Discrimination” refers to policies, practices, patterns of behaviour or attitudes that are part of the social or administrative structures of an organization, and that while appearing neutral on the surface nevertheless have an “adverse effect” or exclusionary impact on people based on a ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code³. Examples of Systemic Discrimination include:

not permitting time away from work or studies for religious or spiritual practices other than on statutory holidays;
less favourable differential career opportunities or career paths for qualified members of equity seeking groups;
failing to deal with discriminatory incidents or downplaying their seriousness because, for example, “no harm was intended.”

Protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code include:

race
gender identity
ancestry
gender expression
place of origin
age (protected only in relation to those 18 years or older)
colour
record of offences (protected in relation to employment only)
ethnic origin
marital status
citizenship
family status
creed
sexual orientation
sex
disability, and
any other ground that may subsequently be designated as protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code

2. "Harassment" means engaging in a vexatious comment or conduct that exceeds the bounds of free expression or academic freedom as these are understood in University policies⁴ , which is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. Harassment normally requires a ‘course’ of conduct or comment, but a single incident can be sufficiently egregious to constitute Harassment.

This includes not merely direct and intentional acts of Harassment, but also includes engaging in verbal or non-verbal behaviour or communication that is known or ought to reasonably be known to be hostile, intimidating or threatening, or that deliberately seeks to control or manipulate or otherwise harm another person, and can include comment or conduct through any electronic media regardless of where it originates. While it might be, Harassment need not be connected to a ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Differences of opinion, personality conflicts, or disagreements between individuals are not generally considered to be Harassment.

Harassment, defined above, can take on a variety of specific forms; some commonly recognized forms include:

"Discriminatory Harassment" is a form of Harassment that is based on one or more grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. Discriminatory Harassment also includes Harassment based on a person’s relationship to, or association with, or dealings with, a person or persons identified by one or more protected grounds. Discriminatory Harassment may include, for example, racist jokes, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment and microaggressions. Discriminatory Harassment normally requires a ‘course’ of conduct or comment, but a single incident can be sufficiently egregious to constitute Harassment.

“Harassment by Provocation or Incitement” is a form of Discriminatory Harassment involving public behaviour that exceeds the bounds of free expression or academic freedom as these are understood in University policies⁵, which incites hatred, contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule of, a person or group of people based on one or more grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code or because of a person’s relationship to, or association or dealings with, such a person or group⁶.

"Sexual Harassment" means vexatious comment, conduct and/or communication of a sexual nature or based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression that is known, or ought to have been known to be unwelcome. Sexual Harassment normally requires a ‘course’ of conduct or comment, but a single incident can be sufficiently egregious to constitute Harassment. Sexual Harassment includes but is not limited to:

unwanted sexual solicitations, attention, advances, or comments and gestures (including songs and chants);
stalking;
the display of sexually suggestive pictures, posters, objects, or graffiti;
the implied or express promise of benefits or advancement in return for sexual favours;
threats of reprisals for rejecting unwanted solicitations or advances;
engaging in conduct or making a comment(s) that creates a poisoned environment for individuals of a specific sex, sexual identity, gender identity or gender expression;
non-consensual posting of pictures, aggressive comments, and slurs of a sexual nature on any form of social media or other electronic media;
non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature (including Sexual Assault); and
sexual conduct that interferes with an individual's dignity, or privacy such as voyeurism and exhibitionism.

“Workplace Harassment⁷” is engaging in vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. This normally requires a ‘course’ of conduct or comment, but a single incident can be sufficiently egregious to Constitute Harassment.

Workplace Harassment includes Sexual Harassment and Discriminatory Harassment in the Workplace.

Differences of opinion, personality conflicts, or disagreements between co-workers are not generally considered to be Workplace Harassment.

Reasonable action(s) taken by the University or by a Person of Authority, relating to the management and direction of workers or the Workplace is not Workplace Harassment. Reasonable management actions could include things such as changes in work assignments, scheduling, job/performance assessment and evaluation, workplace inspections, implementation of health and safety measures, and disciplinary action. If these actions are not exercised appropriately, they may constitute Workplace Harassment.

Workplace Harassment can involve unwelcome words or actions that are known or should be known to be offensive, embarrassing, humiliating, or demeaning to a worker or group of workers, in a Workplace.
Workplace Harassment can also include behaviour that intimidates, isolates, or even discriminates against the targeted individual(s). This may include:
- making remarks, jokes or innuendos that demean, ridicule, intimidate, or offend;
- displaying or circulating offensive pictures or materials in print or electronic form;
- bullying;
- repeated offensive or intimidating phone calls or e-mails;

3. “Intake Assessment Team” is the group, chaired by the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion), responsible for the initial determination of whether the facts alleged in a Complaint or Report, if proven to be true, would constitute Harassment, Discrimination, or Systemic Discrimination (in a Report only), or a Reprisal (i.e., whether the facts alleged establish a prima facie case), and if so, for the referral to the appropriate Receiving Office for investigation.

The core of the Intake Assessment Team is comprised of:

the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion), as Chair
the Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion)
the Associate Vice-Principal (Human Resources)
the Director, Environmental Health & Safety
or an assigned delegate authorized to act on behalf of any of these individuals.

The Intake Assessment Team may be adjusted from time to time at the discretion of the Chair, to include individuals who may inform the proper assessment of a Complaint or Report (for example, if a Complaint or Report alleges conduct by a faculty member the Intake Assessment Team may include the Associate Vice-Principal (Faculty Relations); if a Complaint or Report alleges conduct by a student the Intake Assessment Team may include the Assistant Dean (Student Conduct and CARE).

4. "Person(s) of Authority" means any person who has charge of a Workplace in which a Queen’s employee who has allegedly breached this Policy works, or direct authority over a Queen’s employee who has allegedly breached this Policy.

5. “Receiving Office” is the University office to which a Complaint or Report has been referred by the Intake Assessment Team. This generally includes, but is not necessarily limited to the Complaints and Investigations Office, Campus Security and Emergency Services, or the NAMIO (NAMIO will refer the case to the appropriate non-academic misconduct unit under the Student Code of Conduct and its Procedures).

6. “Reprisal” means the act of penalizing, intimidating, or coercing an individual for acting in good faith to carry out or assist with any step provided for in the Complaint Procedure or the Reporting Procedure made under this Policy and includes threatening to do so. Engaging in an act of Reprisal constitutes a breach of this Policy.

The imposition of discipline or other sanctions for the making of a Report or Complaint in bad faith is not an act of Reprisal.

7. "Respondent" refers to anyone who is alleged in a Complaint or Report to have breached this Policy.

8. “University Community” includes, without limitation, employees, students, volunteers, visiting professors, contractors, visitors, student groups, and other individuals who live, work, or study at, or carry out services for, the University.

9. “University Property” means property owned, rented, or otherwise used by the University.

10. "Workplace" means any place where a Queen’s employee engages in employment activity. This includes virtual/online workspace, employment activities outside the normal place of work, and employment activities that occur outside of normal working hours.