June 18, 2009 – In Quebec, one in three workers say they have been the victim or witness of psychological harassment in their workplace, according to a recent CROP survey conducted for the Order of Certified Human Resources Advisors1-2.
Although 81% of the workers questioned were aware of the existence of a law which allows complaints to be made in the event of psychological harassment3, one in five would be afraid to take such a step against his employer, according to the results.
“Although this survey does not provide a precise idea of the number of victims who are currently experiencing psychological harassment, it nevertheless shows that this problem is still present within companies”, indicates Angelo Soares, sociologist and professor at the Department of organization and human resources at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM).
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Psychological harassment: other statistics
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Management or harassment?
“It is the lack of respect that distinguishes a case of psychological harassment and a management practice. There is no form of management – even autocratic – which in its practice suggests a lack of respect towards a person. Managers think they are managing with a lack of knowledge of management principles and they end up harassing their employees, ”says Angelo Soares.
According to him, there is still a lot of awareness to be done with employees and employers on psychological harassment at work.
“Adopting an organizational policy against all forms of violence within a company is not enough. It must be dynamic, that is to say known by all employees, thanks to information sessions on harassment and on the mechanisms put in place to counter and prevent it, ”he says.
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See our interview with psychiatrist Marie-France Hirigoyen: Psychological harassment at work: an attack on health and dignity. |
Respond to this news in our blog Have you ever suffered psychological harassment at work?
Carole Boulé – PasseportSanté.net
1. CROP survey, Notoriety of a law on psychological harassment, report prepared for the Order of approved human resources advisers, April 2009. To consult the OCRHA press release: www.orhri.org/presse [consulté le 18 juin 2009].
2. The survey was conducted among 1000 people. The margin of error is 3%, 19 times out of 20.
3. Section 81.19 of the Act respecting labor standards has been in force since 1er June 2004. To find out more about the law on psychological harassment at work: www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca/en-cas-de/harcelement-psychologique
