OTTAWA – Canada’s top bureaucrat says more can be done to prevent harassment in the public service after a review found some federal civil servants are afraid to complain about it.
Earlier this year Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick launched a targeted review of the culture within the civil service and how reports of harassment are handled.
A report on the findings shows that while a comprehensive set of rules and policies are in place, there is room for improvement.
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Some victims interviewed said they remain hesitant to come forward with harassment complaints due to a fear of reprisal and that they found the current systems for addressing complaints difficult to navigate.
The task force of deputy ministers that led the review recommends the creation of a trusted, safe space within departments for employees to talk about harassment without fear.
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The report says more training for employees and managers is also needed and that more comprehensive data should be gathered and analysed to identify problem areas or trends.
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