Lesson 3: Ethical Issues

Employees


Employees have responsibility to perform their duties following the workplace rules, regulations, policies, and legislation, and they have the right to be free of harassment.


Sometimes, unethical behaviour in the workplace can result in a conflict that is not in violation of the Human Rights Act. In the activity below, read the situation, and then click to see if it is a Human Rights issue.


An employee is spending much of the workday answering personal emails although workplace rules forbid this.

Yes. An employee is responsible to comply with workplace rules.

Sam is given the worst shifts because his supervisor does not like him.

No. This is not in the Human Rights Act. The Alberta Human Rights Act (AHR Act) prohibits discrimination in employment based on the protected grounds of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, and sexual orientation. (If one of these can be determined to be the reason for the dislike, the situation changes.)

Joan is fired from her position because her manager felt that she was too old for the job.

Yes. The Alberta Human Rights Act (AHR Act) prohibits discrimination in employment based on the protected grounds of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, and sexual orientation.

Daniel is teased and bullied constantly by a co-worker for being small.

No. This is not in the Human Rights Act.

Steps to take:
  • Talk with the supervisor.
  • If the supervisor is the bully, talk with the supervisor’s manager.

Daniel may be able to find support from human resources staff, the person identified in the organization’s harassment policy, or his union or professional association.

Souella is told that she will not be eligible for a coming promotion because the company wants a male in the position.

Yes. The Alberta Human Rights Act (AHR Act) prohibits discrimination in employment based on the protected grounds of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, and sexual orientation.

Wendy’s supervisor kept information from her. This caused Wendy to complete a report with incorrect information.

No. This is unethical, but it is not in the Human Rights Act.
Positive and open communication among employees can help to avoid conflict. Employees should try to resolve conflicts in the workplace before involving the Human Rights Commission.