If you are considering filing a report through McGill’s Policy on Harassment and Discrimination, we encourage you to Book a Consultation first to ask questions, understand the processes available (mediation/investigation), and learn about your rights, support services, and related resources.
All members of the University community have the right to work and learn in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. The University is committed to fostering a community founded upon the fundamental dignity and worth of all of its members and an equitable environment in which all members of the University can flourish.
What is harassment?
Psychological harassment isn’t always obvious, and individual incidents may not seem significant until evaluated cumulatively. There are 5 elements to the definition of harassment:
- vexatious behaviour
- in the form of repeated conduct, verbal comments, actions or gestures*
- that are hostile or unwanted
- that affect the dignity or psychological or physical integrity of a member of the University community
- and result in a harmful environment for the individual
* In the employment context, a single serious incident may constitute harassment.
Policy Definition
According to section 1.5 of McGill's Policy on Harassment and Discrimination, harassment is "any vexatious behaviour by one Member of the University Community towards another Member of the University Community in the form of repeated hostile or unwanted conduct, verbal comments, actions or gestures, that affect the dignity or psychological or physical integrity of a Member of the University Community and that result in a harmful environment for such an individual. Within the employment relationship, a single serious incidence of such behaviour that has a lasting harmful effect on such an individual may also constitute Harassment."
What is discrimination?
Discrimination can take many forms and it can be subtle. It can also take place without any intent to do harm. There are 3 elements to the definition of discrimination:
- any action, behavior or decision
- based on any prohibited ground of discrimination (e.g., race, sex, national origin, disability, religion, etc.)
- which results in the exclusion or preference of an individual or group within the University community
McGill’s Policy on Harassment and Discrimination covers both the actions of individual members of the University and the systemic institutional practices and policies of the University.
Policy Definition
According to section 1.4 of McGill's Policy on Harassment and Discrimination, discrimination means "discrimination prohibited by law and includes any action, behaviour, or decision based on race, colour, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, family status, sexual orientation, civil status, age (except as provided by law), religion, political conviction, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, a disability or the use of any means to palliate a disability, which results in the exclusion or preference of an individual or group within the University community. This includes both the actions of individual members of the University and systemic institutional practices and policies of the University."
McGill’s Policy on Harassment and Discrimination covers both the actions of individual members of the University and the systemic institutional practices and policies of the University.
File a Report
Mediation Process
Investigation Process
Additional Resources
Book a Consultation
