About this Commitment

YWCA Banff will support organizations in reviewing their policies related to sexual harassment and violence, in the workplace and, if applicable, staff accommodations. Policy reviews will focus on violence prevention and responding to disclosures of violence. During reviews, YWCA Banff will offer feedback and considerations, as well as address employer questions.  

While not required for this commitment, YWCA Banff is also also able to review any policies related to violence or harassment of any kind in the workplace and staff accommodations (if applicable).

 YWCA Banff recognizes that an organization’s policies depend highly on the context in which they were developed. As such, YWCA Banff is not positioned to develop policy for organizations. Instead, feedback will be based on, and limited to, information on trends, resources, and best practices related to the sexual violence prevention and response.  

YWCA Banff is dedicated to long-term partnerships, offering ongoing support and collaboration to address any needs, present or future, related to violence or harassment in the workplace. All communications and interactions regarding the policy review will be confidential and handled with sensitivity.   

Why This Commitment?

Maintaining and reviewing sexual harassment and violence in the workplace policies is essential for creating an inclusive and respectful workplace culture, where employees feel safe, valued, and supported, knowing that the organization is committed to preventing and addressing harassment and violence in all its forms. Regular reviews ensure that policies remain comprehensive, clear, and effective in preventing and addressing harmful behaviours. YWCA Banff and the Harmony Project's extensive experience in gender-based violence prevention and response enable us to provide specialized knowledge and insights that are uniquely tailored to address the complexities of workplace harassment and violence in the Bow Valley context.

Evaluation Plan

To complete this commitment:

1. Share polices related to sexual harassment with the Harmony Project Coordinator (Marisha@ywcabanff.ca) by October 1st, 2024.  

2. Schedule a meeting with the Harmony Project Coordinator (Marisha@ywcabanff.ca)  discuss policy feedback and how the Harmony Project can provide ongoing support with your sexual harassment prevention and response efforts. While YWCA Banff will support organizations with this work outside of the 2024 Workplace Inclusion Charter (WIC), for purposes of the 2024 WIC, meetings must occur before December 15, 2024.   

In January 2025, the YWCA Banff will compile a list of all WIC signatories who completed this commitment.

Resources

Contact: Marisha@ywcabanff.ca

Supporting Organization: YWCA Banff

For support with this commitment, contact:

Marisha Iverson
Harmony Project Coordinator
YWCA Banff
marisha@ywcabanff.ca