The rise of online and remote work in Alberta has been accompanied by a troubling trend: workplace sexual harassment is moving into virtual spaces.
According to a survey conducted by RA2 Research on behalf of the Workers’ Resource Centre, more than one-third of sexual harassment experienced by Alberta workers now takes place online, with 11% reporting such experiences while working from home.
The survey disclosed that 54% of workers in the province have witnessed sexual harassment online. Unwanted online or text messages accounted for 34% of the harassment experienced, while 42% of respondents said they had witnessed such behavior. Additionally, 29% have witnessed work-related sexual harassment through various communication channels such as email, instant messages, text messages, and video conferencing.
Carolyn Krahn, Executive Director of the Workers’ Resource Centre, emphasized the importance of recognizing sexual harassment in the remote workspace. “Examples of sexual harassment in the remote workspace may include inappropriate verbal comments, gestures, or digital communication of a sexual nature,” Krahn explained. She also stressed that the blurring of work and home environments might make victims feel trapped, as unwanted messages can follow them to their personal devices.
Krahn further pointed out the isolation of virtual work and the difficulties employers may face in identifying incidents of harassment online, adding that this could contribute to workers’ reluctance to report the harassment to HR or management.
In an effort to support Albertans affected by workplace sexual harassment, the Workers’ Resource Centre launched HereForHelp.ca, a hub to centralize critical services and information. “HereForHelp.ca brings together organizations from across the province,” Krahn stated, highlighting the website’s legal guidance, counseling support, employment rights information, and reporting assistance.
The survey’s results align with recent data from Statistics Canada, which reported that Alberta saw 4,948 police-reported incidents of indecent or harassing communications in 2022, a nearly 7% increase since 2021.
Other notable findings from the survey include disparities among different demographics and job levels:
- Calgarians and women under 55 were most likely to witness workplace sexual harassment online.
- Executives and those in companies with 20-99 employees were more likely to experience online sexual harassment.
- Younger workers aged 18 to 34 were most likely to experience online harassment, while women were more likely than men to report unwanted online messages or texts.
These findings stress the need for employers and employees to create safe and respectful virtual work environments, recognizing that harassment can and does occur outside traditional workplace settings. The Workers’ Resource Centre’s new hub offers a significant step towards providing resources and support to those impacted by this pressing issue.
Albertans impacted by workplace sexual harassment can visit HereForHelp.ca for further information, resources and support.
