Stephen Hammond,Motivational Keynote Speaker
Overcoming Barriers to a Respectful Workplace
 
Today is:  Sat, 04 - Feb, 2012: 
This day in 1906...
Gladys Strum, pioneer in Saskatchewan and Canadian politics, was born  Read More...

Gladys Grace Mae Lamb was born on February 4, 1906 in Gladstone, Manitoba. At 16, she became a teacher in Saskatchewan, where she met her husband Warner Strum. Early in their marriage, Warner contracted tuberculosis and Gladys got an understanding of the deficiencies in Canada?s health care system. During travels to New Zealand, Strum gained an appreciation for that country?s progressive health care practices, which prompted her to get involved in the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) party in Canada. Although defeated in her bids for the legislature in 1938 and 1944 (the latter by six votes to Premier Patterson), Strum was actively involved in Canada?s first socialist government when Tommy Douglas became premier in the June 1944 election. The Saskatchewan CCF elected Strum president, making her the first woman president of a political party in Canada. The following year, she was elected the CCF Member of Parliament for Qu?Appelle, Saskatchewan, the only woman in the House of Commons during that session and the fifth woman MP elected to Ottawa. Among other achievements, Strum was successful in convincing the speaker of Parliament that women need no longer wear hats or handkerchiefs in the gallery. She was also famous for her line, ?No one has ever objected to women working; the only thing they have ever objected to is paying women for working.? Strum was defeated in 1949. However, she made her way back into politics in 1960 as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislature from Saskatoon. During that session she was proud to vote for the legislation that created Canada?s first socialized medical system. Strum died in Penticton, B.C. on August 15, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managing human rights at work audio
Managing human rights at work

 
Overcoming Barriers to a Respectful Workplace
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When someone at work has said something noticeably objectionable, it’s time to speak up.

Caught off guard is ok. Don’t worry about being caught off guard. If words don’t come to you immediately, collect your thoughts and find a way to say them later. If, however, someone else speaks up on the spot, support that person. You know what it took for him or her to say something.

Never too late. Don't be afraid to return to the issue; it’s never too late, even if what you wanted to say at the time comes to you in the middle of a meeting or a workplace gathering. If it's weighing on your mind, it's likely weighing on the minds of others.

Stick to the issue. Stick to the issue, and if the perpetrator wants to sidetrack by pointing out the bad habits of others, insist on sticking to the words that caused you to speak up.

Don’t lambaste, but don’t soft-pedal. Whatever you do, don't try to soft-pedal a situation when strong words are warranted. No need to lambaste a person who made an outrageous comment, but it's really important that the person knows your workplace won't tolerate offensive language.

Be prepared to stand alone. Be prepared to stand alone. Because most employees are conflict averse, you may find others unwilling to join you. You'll have to decide if it's worth it for you.

You’re not doing anyone any favours by letting them make offensive or inappropriate comments. Sometimes a person gets away with comments for a long time and then when a formal complaint is made, the consequences are severe. If the comments were stopped early on, all the subsequent problems could have been avoided. And when more people challenge certain comments, the person making them will realize there’s no audience for inappropriate or offensive language.

There is so much more to a respectful workplace, but if you get a good start on these items, you’ll be well ahead of most workplaces.



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