se * o-

a Oe Ze =n
Equity and Diversity Committee: (seated from left): Dianne Chapman, Morlene Tomlinson, Brenda Tole, Theresa Forsythe;

(standing from left) Colin McMechan, Dianne Crittenden, Joyce Oates, Heather Hunter, Brian Mason, Rose Brown, David
Keillor, Kim Pogtmann, Ivor Day (1999) Corrections Branch Archives

Supportive workplace initiatives

The provincial government established a sexual
harassment policy early in the 1980s. In the
1990s, the Branch sponsored conferences and
workshops on sexual harassment. The issue was
also addressed during basic and employment
readiness training. A joint Corrections
Branch/BCGSEU committee, established in
1991, worked to address this concern.

Despite these initiatives, the Branch needed to
provide confidential support and
decision-making assistance to individuals who
believed they were being harassed. In April

1996, 23 Cottections Branch staff from across
the province received training as workplace
harassment advisors. One month after training,
the program was officially introduced.” Its
purpose was to reduce and resolve
harassment/disctimination in the workplace.

Advisors were employees of the Branch. Por
example, a correctional officer may have had
harassment advisor duties while performing the
regular job functions of a correctional officer.
Advisors were known to staff and available to
provide advice, assistance and support. The role
of harassment advisor was a volunteer position.

66 ADM Directive 96:12, British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General, Corrections Branch, 1996.

228

Corrections in British Columbia