Here's what we heard:
"I’ve been fortunate to not experience some of the more egregious forms of harassment that women in other industries have faced. However, even in my profession I’ve been talked over, interrupted or my ideas dismissed. Whether that’s due to my gender, my youth and relative inexperience at the time, or simply bad manners, I can’t say. Of these, the behavior that happens most often and that I’ve frequently witnessed happening to other women is being talked over, and that’s really aggravating. As for words, I really don’t like being called 'hon' or 'girl.' It’s time we stop infantilizing women. We don’t go around calling men 'boys' and we shouldn’t call adult women 'girls.'" ~ Susan White, St. John’s
“I’m retired now but in all my years in a workplace, I’ve never been harassed or felt uncomfortable. I have thick skin. Maybe I’m just lucky, or these kinds of complaints just didn’t happen when I was younger. It could just be my generation. Overall, I’m a very mild guy and I don’t try and offend anyone either, but I don’t think I should have to sensor what I say because someone else might be offended.” ~Kalevi Helppi, Digby County, N.S.
“I don’t like when people bully each other and say mean things in the workplace to people who don’t deserve it.” ~ Chris Dunsworth, Sydney, N.S.
"I really hate it when a woman’s behaviour is qualified as feisty or hysterical or other things along those lines. These adjectives seem solely to be reserved for women. Why not use words like passionate or engaged?" ~ Leslie Redmond, St. John’s, N.L.
“I don’t like when someone who avoids work gets praised for it, and it happens more than you think.” ~ Matthew Keough, Sydney, N.S.
"I've been somewhat lucky in that regard, there are only five of us at our office, so we are pretty tight knit and no one really says top much to offend each other." ~ Malcolm Sheppard, St. John’s, N.L.
"For me it’s not a specific word or behaviour, it is an intention. It comes in a flash like a punch in the face and you know you have to put up your chin and take it because your career is on the line. It is ingrained in the culture of that workplace and in that moment, you are powerless. I am proud to now work for a company where integrity and respect is central to our workplace culture". ~ Lynn Hammond, St. John’s, N.L.
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