The Canadian Media Guild committed to working with CBC to ensure a safe and harassment-free workplace

TORONTO, April 16, 2015 /CNW/ - The CMG welcomes the recommendations for action to ensure the workplace is safe and harassment-free contained in the report released by CBC management today on the investigation into workplace allegations against Jian Ghomeshi.

"We support all efforts that ensure our workplaces are harassment-free and make the process of getting help clear, fair and effective," says Carmel Smyth, CMG National President, "no one should have to suffer harassment at work in 2015."

The Rubin report highlights many issues that hinder workers from filing formal complaints when they are faced with harassment. These include fears of reprisals and subsequent loss of privacy, which can seem more damaging than not reporting problems in the workplace.  The recommendations aimed at solving this, including designating an independent Ombudsperson with the authority to investigate complaints and the responsibility to keep information confidential, are positive. Any measures we can take to ensure anyone with concerns is empowered to speak up, and able to find a clear and simple path to do that will benefit everyone.

We are pleased to see the recognition in the report that the precarious employment of casual and temporary workers contributes to a lack of safety because it is even more difficult for them to speak up about problems in the workplace. We will work to ensure that a safe and harassment-free workplace can be a reality for all workers at the public broadcaster, and look forward to addressing the specific concerns of non-permanent workers with CBC management. In addition, we welcome the recommendations aimed at improving support for senior and supervisory staff to empower them to do their jobs effectively by giving them the tools needed to deal with difficult situations. 

Since these issues came to light, the CMG has been reviewing its approach to representing members facing harassment at work and has developed a more fulsome protocol to ensure members get the support they need and that problems in the workplace get addressed. We are looking forward to working with CBC on its own expanded paths to report and investigate abusive workplace behaviour. You can read more about what we are doing here: http://www.cmg.ca/en/2015/04/02/challenging-sexual-harassment-and-other-abuses/

SOURCE Canadian Media Guild

Jeanne d'Arc Umurungi ([email protected]), Communications Director, Canadian Media Guild, [phone]

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