Albertan seeking support to end workplace harassment

By Tyler Zdan, The Edson Leader

A former workplace bullying victim is looking to stop emotional and psychological harassment in offices across Alberta — and is asking people from across the province for their help.

Calgary resident Doreen Maruschak is currently circulating a petition throughout Alberta which urges the provincial government to pass legislation prohibiting emotional bullying and psychological harassment in the workplace.

Maruschak said that her petition is merely the first step in combatting workplace bullying. She said that awareness must be raised towards this growing problem, adding that it has gone unaddressed for too long.

“Bullies just aren’t getting it,” she said. “But once people are aware of this and aware of consequences, it will stop.”

Currently, only physical abuse is officially prohibited under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. Workplace Health and Safety public affairs officer Chris Chodan said emotional and psychological harassment are not covered under the act, although he added that the provincial government does provide educational materials aimed at preventing emotional and physical harassment in the workplace.

Chodan said that currently, education is seen as the most effective means for dealing with the problem.

“Sometimes legislation is the way to go, and sometimes it can be dealt with through other means, and right now education is seen as the way of dealing with [workplace bullying],” he said.

Maruschak, however, thinks that a government mandate is required.

She said that workplace bullying and harassment are problems with far reaching consequences. For the victim, workplace bullying causes stress, reduces self-esteem and causes lasting emotional trauma, she said.

Maruschak added that bullying not only affects the victim, but the victim’s family and co-workers as well. It creates negative home and work environments, decreases productivity in the workplace and results in absenteeism and high employee turnover, she said.