Violence & Harassment Policy

On June 5, 2016 Lansing celebrated becoming an Affirming Congregation, a process that began with a motion made in 2013. The process was delayed due to the church’s building project. Since the fall of 2014 we have been moving forward with the decision made by the congregation to be an Affirming Church.

Violence & Harassment in the Lansing United Church workplace. What you need to know.

Lansing United Church takes a position of zero tolerance with regard to workplace harassment. No United Church employee or any other individual affiliated with The United Church of Canada under any circumstances is allowed to exhibit harassing behaviour toward others, including but not limited to employees, congregants, volunteers, visitors, consultants, service providers or any other third parties.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code Lansing United Church provides everyone equal rights and opportunities without discrimination in their job and when providing services. Lansing United Church does not and will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of the following 15 grounds:

Race
Sex (including pregnancy and gender identity)
Disability
Age
Ancestry
Ethnic Origin
Place of Origin
Citizenship
Creed
Sexual Orientation (The church has an exemption regarding sexual orientation)
Marital Status
Family Status
Record of offences
Being in receipt of public assistance
By association

Examples of workplace harassment can include, but are not limited to:

Inappropriate or unwanted touching
Intrusive invasions of personal space
Inappropriate jokes (i.e., jokes made at the expense of others including race, gender, weight, sexual orientation, hair colour such as "dumb blond", etc.)
Pranks
Flirtatious comments
Damaging personal property or threats to do so
Vandalism
Graffiti
Pornographic pictures or websites
Lewd remarks made verbally or electronically
Shunning
Scapegoating
Derogatory comments that are hurtful
Patronizing or condescending remarks or behaviour
Humiliating comments
Abuse of authority that undermines someone's performance or threatens his or her career
Seductive behaviour
Pounding the wall, desk
Yelling
Stalking
Setting someone up to be unsuccessful, i.e., providing wrong instructions on purpose
Inappropriate or unfounded threats, i.e., "If you don't come out drinking with us the company may not see you as a team player and who knows what that will do to your career."