The list below includes some other available recourse mechanisms that you may wish to consider in determining how best to address the following situations. To ensure that you have the most timely and complete information possible to assist you in your considerations, we would encourage you to consult these websites and to raise any questions you might have directly with the organization in question.

Please note that the list is not exhaustive. It also includes mechanisms that have direct relevance to federal public servants for workplace matters.

Harassment includes:

“Improper conduct by an individual, that is directed at and offensive to another individual in the workplace, including at any event or any location related to work, and that the individual knew or ought reasonably to have known would cause offence or harm. It comprises objectionable act(s), comment(s) or display(s) that demean, belittle, or cause personal humiliation or embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat. It also includes harassment within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act(i.e. based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability and pardoned conviction).

Harassment is normally a series of incidents but can be one severe incident which has a lasting impact on the individual.

_{Source: TB policy on harassment prevention and resolution}

Possible Recourse Mechanism

• Complaint pursuant to the Policy on Harassment Prevention and Resolution. (The TB Policy goes beyond the grounds prohibited under the Canadian Human Rights Act, such as harassment of a general nature, including rude, degrading or offensive remarks or e-mails, threats or intimidation.)

For example, if you have encountered problems in accessing personal information or if you think the federal government or a private sector organization is collecting too much of your personal information

Recourse Mechanism

• Office of the Privacy Commissioner

If you feel that an information request was not properly handled by a federal institution (for example, processing delays, denial of information, fees required and official languages concerns)

Recourse Mechanism

• Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

Possible Recourse Mechanisms

Informal Conflict Resolution Advisors in your organization. Please contact your department’s group responsible for informal conflict management systems or employee wellness as the case may be. 

Disclosure of wrongdoing in the federal public sector

• A contravention of any Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province or any regulations made under any such act
• A misuse of public funds or a public asset
• A gross mismanagement in the public sector
• An act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger to the life, health, or safety of persons, or to the environment, other than a danger that is inherent in the performance of the duties or functions of a public servant
• A serious breach of a code of conduct established by Treasury Board or by an organization, as required by the Act
• Knowingly directing or counseling a person to commit a wrongdoing as defined above

Recourse Mechanisms

Immediate supervisor, Senior Officers responsible for internal disclosurein your organization (Treasury Board Secretariat list), Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada.

By those making disclosures of wrongdoing – any of the following measures taken at work against a public servant because he or she has made a protected disclosure or has, in good faith, cooperated in an investigation into a disclosure:

• A disciplinary measure
• The demotion of the public servant
• The termination of employment of the public servant, including, in the case of a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a discharge or dismissal
• Any measure that adversely affects the employment or working conditions of the public servant
• A threat to take any of these measures or directing a person to do so 

Recourse Mechanisms

• Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada

_{*This information has been provided by the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada.}