Respectful Workplace Week proclaimed at University of New Brunswick
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Sep 2, 2022
Category: UNB Fredericton , UNB Saint John
At a small signing ceremony on Aug. 30, the University of New Brunswick proclaimed Sept. 5 – 9 to be Respectful Workplace Week across the institution.
The initiative is meant to recognize and promote respectful conduct, which contributes to individual, organizational and societal well-being and prevents unnecessary suffering. This year’s theme is Respectful Workplace Week: Beyond COVID.
“UNB employees have a responsibility to ensure each other’s safety from emotional, psychological and physical harm in the workplace, and to do our part to break the cycle of victimization and abusive behaviour,” said Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, UNB president. “I encourage all UNB employees to attend workshops, discuss respectful workplace principles with colleagues and work to continue to promote a safe environment.”
Dr. Mazerolle was joined for the signing by Cathy Holtmann, director of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre (MMFC) at UNB, Petra Bergner, associate vice-president of People and Culture, Debra Ward, UNB’s acting human rights officer, and Sheila Burt, associate director of MMFC. Ward and Burt are also members of MMFC’s Workplace Violence and Abuse Research Team (WVAT).
“We spend a significant amount of time at work, and our research team wants to foster workplace environments where individuals experiencing violence, abuse and harassment in the workplace get the information and support to assist them in making their lives safer and healthier,” said Burt.
In recognition of Respectful Workplace Week, the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre’s WVAT is offering three days of webinars and presentations for UNB community members and the wider public focusing on the following themes:
The WVAT conducts and disseminates research to deepen our understanding of the various ways in which New Brunswickers experience bullying, intimidation, aggression and other forms of violence and abuse in their workplaces so it can be addressed and eliminated.
Photo credit: UNB Media Services