Harassment and Violence in the Workplace – Negative Behaviours Matrix

Behaviour Matrix

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Note: The Negative Behaviour Matrix provides examples of inappropriate behaviours and is not meant to be exhaustive. While these behaviours may be perpetrated by subordinates, peers, or superiors, behaviours listed under abuse of authority and discrimination are more likely to be perpetrated by superiors.

Negative Behaviour Matrix

Harassment and violence include any action, conduct or comment, including of a sexual nature, that can reasonably be expected to cause offence, humiliation or other physical or psychological injury or illness to an employee/member, including any prescribed action, conduct or comment.

This also includes any negative behaviours based on the prohibited grounds of discrimination identified in the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA).

• Psychological aggression

  • Making inappropriate facial gestures (e.g., rolling eyes) or laughing at someone1^{Footnote 1}.
  • Ignoring or ostracizing someone (e.g., not inviting a team member to a team lunch).
  • Being disrespectful (e.g., purposefully misusing pronouns or mispronouncing names).
  • Coercing someone into a demeaning ceremony or event.
  • Speaking in a condescending, degrading, or abusive manner (e.g., using racial slurs).
  • Making inappropriate sexual or non-sexual comments (e.g., mocking gender identity or sexual orientation).

• Physical aggression

  • Engaging in non-contact aggressive behavior (e.g., banging on a table, throwing objects).
  • Invading personal space or standing over someone.
  • Engaging in physical contact (e.g., spitting, pushing).
  • Threatening physical harm (e.g., "I would like to hit you right now").
  • Threatening to damage property.
  • Making inappropriate sexual gestures (e.g., gyrating suggestively).

• Abuse of authority

  • Withholding necessary information for work.
  • Asking subordinates to run personal errands.
  • Engaging in favoritism or disfavouritism.
  • Belittling someone's work.
  • Exploiting, intimidating, blackmailing, threatening, or mistreating someone using a position of authority.
  • Misusing power to interfere with or influence someone's career.

• Online behaviour

  • Purposefully excluding someone from group emails.
  • Cc'ing others when pointing out mistakes.
  • Posting defamatory material online.
  • Being hostile online through words or pictures.
  • Sharing material online without consent.
  • Making online threats.

• Criminal behaviour^{Footnote 2}

  • Damaging property.
  • Engaging in voyeurism.
  • Sharing intimate photos without consent.
  • Stalking or making death threats.
  • Physical or sexual assault.
  • Committing hate crimes.

• Discrimination^{Footnote 3}

  • Denying promotions despite qualifications.
  • Refusing reasonable accommodations.
  • Denying or limiting training opportunities.
  • Denying transfers or postings.
  • Providing unfair performance evaluations.