Linda Leith Publishing is committed to fostering a harassment-free workplace where all Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteers are treated with respect and dignity.

The Canadian Human Rights Act and the Quebec Charter of Rights protect Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteers from harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability or pardoned conviction.
Harassment at Linda Leith Publishing is not tolerated. Authors, Translators, Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteerswho are found to have harassed another individual may be subject to disciplinary action. This includes any employee who: interferes with the resolution of a harassment complaint; retaliates against an individual for filing a harassment complaint; or files an unfounded harassment complaint intended to cause harm.

Application
This policy applies to all current Authors, Translators, Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteers of Linda Leith Publishing, including those who are full and part-time, casual, contract, permanent and temporary Employees. This policy also applies to job applicants.
This policy applies to all behaviourthat is in some way connected to work, including during off-site meetings, training and on business trips.

Definitions
Harassment is

• offending or humiliating someone physically or verbally;

• threatening or intimidating someone; or

• making unwelcome jokes or comments about someone’s race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability or pardoned conviction.

Sexual harassment is:

• offensive or humiliating behaviour that is related to a person’s sex;

• behaviour of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, unwelcome, hostile or offensive work environment; or

• behaviour of a sexual nature that could reasonably be thought to put sexual conditions on a person’s job or employment opportunities.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Linda Leith Publishing is responsible for:

• providing all Authors, Translators, Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteers with a harassment-free workplace.

The Publisher is responsible for:

• ensuring that this policy is applied ina timely, consistent and confidential manner;

• determining whether or not allegations of harassment are substantiated; and

• determining what corrective action is appropriate where a harassment complaint has been substantiated.

• the administrationof this policy;

• reviewing this policy as required; and

• making necessary adjustments to ensure that this policy meets the needs of the organization.

Authors, Translators, Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteers are responsible for:

• fostering a harassment-free work environment and setting an example of appropriate workplace behaviour;

• communicating the process for investigating and resolving harassment complaints;

• dealing with harassment situations immediately upon becoming aware of them, whether or not a harassment complaint has been made;

• taking appropriate action during a harassment investigation, including separating the parties to the harassment complaint, when appropriate; and

• ensuring harassment situations are dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner.

Authors, Translators, Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteers are responsible for:

• treating others with respect in the workplace;

• reporting harassment to The Publisher;

• cooperating with a harassment investigation and respecting the confidentiality related to the investigation process;

Authors, Translators, Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteerscan expect:

• to be treated with respect in the workplace;

• that reported harassment will be dealt with in a timely, confidential and effective manner;

• to have their rights to a fair process and to confidentiality respected during a harassment investigation; and

• to be protected against retaliation for reporting harassment or cooperating with a harassment investigation.

Procedures for Addressing a Harassment Complaint

Filing a Complaint
An Author, Translator, Employee, Freelancer, or Volunteermay file a harassment complaint by contacting The Publisher. The complaint may be verbal or in writing. If the complaint is made verbally, The Publisherwill record the details provided by the employee.
The employee should be prepared to provide details such as what happened; when it happened; where it happened; how often and who else was present (if applicable). 
Complaints should be made as soon as possible but no later than within one year of the last incident of perceived harassment, unless there are circumstances that prevented the employee from doing so.
The Publisher will tell the person that the harassment complaint has been made against, in writing, that a harassment complaint has been filed. The letter will also provide details of the allegations that have been made against him or her.
Every effort will be made to resolve harassment complaints within fourteen days. The Publisher will advise both parties of the reasons why, if this is not possible.
If either party to a harassment complaint believes that the complaint is not being handled in accordance with this policy, he or she should contact The Publisher.

Mediation
Wherever appropriate and possible, the parties to the harassment complaint will be offered mediation prior to proceeding with a harassment investigation.
Mediation is voluntary and confidential. It is intended to assist the parties to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution to the harassment complaint.
The mediator will be a neutral person, agreed upon by both parties. The mediator will not be involved in investigating the complaint.
Each party to the complaint has the right to be accompanied and assisted during mediation sessions by a person of their choosing.

Investigation
If mediation is inappropriate or does not resolve the issue, a harassment investigation will be conducted.
All investigations will be handled by an individual who has the necessary training and experience. In some cases, an external consultant may be engaged for this purpose.
The investigator will interview the person who made the complaint, the person the complaint was made against, and any witnesses that have been identified.
All people who are interviewed will have the right to review their statement, as recorded by the investigator, to ensure its accuracy.
The investigator will prepare areport that will include:

• a description of the allegations;

• the response of the person the complaint was made against;

• a summary of information learned from witnesses (if applicable); and

• a decision about whether, on a balance of probabilities, harassment did occur.

This report will be submitted to The Publisher. Both parties to the complaint will be given a copy.

Substantiated Complaint
If a harassment complaint is substantiated,The Publisher will decide what action is appropriate.
Remedies for the Author, Translator, Employee, Freelancer, or Volunteer who was harassed may include: an oral or written apology; compensation for lost wages; compensation for any lost employment benefits such as sick leave; and compensation for hurt feelings.
Corrective action for the employee found to have engaged in harassment may include: a reprimand; a suspension; a transfer; a demotion; and/or dismissal.
Both parties to the complaint will be advised, in writing, of the decision.

Other Redress
An employee who is not satisfied with the outcome of the harassment complaint process may file a discrimination complaint with the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Commission. 

Privacy and Confidentiality
All parties to a harassment complaint are expected to respect the privacy and confidentiality of all other parties involved and to limit the discussion of a harassment complaint to those that need to know.
Linda Leith Publishing and all individuals involved in the harassment complaint process, will comply with all requirements of the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Commission to protect personal information.

Review
Linda Leith Publishing will review this policy and procedures as required, and will make necessary adjustments to ensure that it meets the needs of all Authors, Translators, Employees, Freelancers, and Volunteers.

Enquiries about this policy and related procedures can be made to The Publisher, Linda Leith, at info@lindaleith.com.

Date: 12 July 2018