1. Reject stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination

• Treat people equally
• Learn about others and explore differences
• Avoid labelling others as different

2. Speak out for a respectful environment

• Make people feel valued and avoid a culture of blame
• Understand other people’s point of view
• Do not tolerate bullying, derogatory or inappropriate behaviour or language

3. Use humour appropriately

• Use humour to relieve stress and build relationships
• Don’t use humour at the expense of others

4. Avoid gossip and ignore rumours

• Minimize social exclusion, stress and concern by avoiding gossip
• Don’t talk about others behind their backs

5. Handle conflicts productively

• Explain your thoughts and feelings openly and be willing to talk with others
• Avoid passive behaviour

 If you are being harassed or discriminated against:

1. Speak to the person directly and request the behaviour stop.
2. If this is difficult or uncomfortable, ask for some assistance from an advisor, counsellor, student association representative, peer support, faculty association, union representative, instructor, supervisor, manager, dean or director.
3. Speak to the human rights advisor, who can assist you with how to proceed with the issue or complaint.
4. Remember, you don’t have to tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form. There are people at Medicine Hat College who are trained to help and support you.
5. If you are told your behaviour is harassing, bullying or discriminatory evaluate what you are doing and ask for some help and support to change it.

 

Respectful Work and Learning Environment
Respectful Work and Learning Environment Complaint Resolution

Alberta Human Rights Commission
United Nations Observances

Human Rights Day

December 10, 2021, marks the 73rd anniversary of Human Rights Day.  On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

 

Did you know?

First lady of the United States of America from 1933 to 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed, in 1946, as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly by United States President Harry S. Truman. She served as the first Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights and played an instrumental role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. At a time of increasing East- West tensions, Eleanor Roosevelt used her enormous prestige and credibility with both superpowers to steer the drafting process toward its successful completion. In 1968, she was posthumously awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize.

Click here to learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt and other women who played an important role in drafting the UDHR.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

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Let's talk about discrimination.

The Alberta Human Rights Act helps to protect you against discrimination. The Act protects in five areas. For example: employment, goods and services, tenancy and membership in trade unions.

The Act also has 13 grounds in which people cannot discriminate against you. Learn what they are by reading this fact sheet by the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

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What is an inclusive washroom?

Inclusive washrooms include single-stalls that are lockable and available to all genders regardless of gender identity or expression. They provide a safe and private facility for everyone, including the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities who require an attendant, and parents of children of the opposite gender.

View the location of the inclusive washrooms.

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What is the definition of gender identity and gender expression?

The Government of Alberta has amended the Alberta Human Rights Act to add gender identity and gender expression to the Act as expressly prohibited grounds of discrimination, effective December 11, 2015.

The Alberta Human Rights Act does not define these two protected grounds. The Alberta Human Rights Commission describes each ground as follows. Please note that these are not legal definitions.

• Gender identity refers to a person’s internal, individual experience of gender, which may not coincide with the sex assigned to them at birth. A person may have a sense of being a woman, a man, both, or neither. Gender identity is not the same as sexual orientation, which is also protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act.
• Gender expression refers to the varied ways in which a person expresses their gender, which can include a combination of dress, grooming, demeanour, social behaviour and other factors.

Download the fact sheet provided by the Commission.