The Statistics Canada’s Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics, in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics, released a comprehensive data table focusing on workplace harassment and sexual assault. The new dataset, integrated into the Gender Results Framework (GRF), offers valuable insights into the prevalence of such incidents, shedding light on the experiences of various demographic groups across the country, with data collected up to the year 2020.
Workplace harassment encompasses objectionable or unwelcome behaviors, comments, or actions that may offend, intimidate, humiliate, or degrade individuals in a work-related environment. This includes inappropriate sexualized behavior, discriminatory acts, and sexual assault. The significance of these issues cannot be overstated, as they not only violate personal boundaries but also undermine workplace morale and productivity.
The data reveals alarming trends:
- Nearly half of women and around three in ten men in Canada have experienced some form of workplace harassment or sexual assault.
- The most commonly reported incidents among women include inappropriate sexualized behaviors, discriminatory behaviors, and sexual assault.
- Younger individuals, particularly those aged 15 to 34, are disproportionately affected, with high rates of harassment and assault reported.
- People with disabilities, Indigenous individuals, racialized communities, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are also overrepresented among those who have experienced workplace harassment or assault.
A closer examination of the data exposes significant gender disparities:
- Women are more likely to experience harassment and assault both inside and outside the workplace.
- Women in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as trades, are particularly vulnerable to inappropriate sexualized behaviors.
- Women in health occupations and postsecondary institutions also face elevated risks of workplace harassment and discrimination.
These findings underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to address workplace harassment and sexual assault. Employers must prioritize creating safe and inclusive work environments, implementing robust anti-harassment policies, and providing comprehensive training to employees. Additionally, efforts to dismantle systemic inequalities and biases are essential to fostering gender equality in all spheres of society.