Independent Centre for Harassment Resolution
The Independent Centre for Harassment Resolution (ICHR) is a centralized, independent unit that facilitates the resolution of harassment and violence occurrences for RCMP employees.
The ICHR is an important part of the Commissioner's plan to modernize RCMP culture. Its key objectives are:
- to improve the workplace harassment and violence resolution process by ensuring it is outside the chain-of-command and free of bias or conflict of interest
- to increase opportunities for informal resolution, where appropriate
- to standardize service standards to ensure timely resolution of complaints
- to improve trust in the process
- to normalize prevention and conflict resolution as a part of the harassment and violence complaint process
- to support the continuous examination of risk factors related to harassment and violence in the workplace allowing for the development and implementation of preventative measures
- to protect and support employees and work with key stakeholders to rebuild the workplace
- to ensure that proposed measures to restore the workplace are implemented
The team
The ICHR is made up of full-time employees who:
- receive and analyse notices of occurrence as submitted by RCMP employees
- refer employees for informal resolution, as needed
- monitor the measures implemented to improve the workplace
- offer support to current and former employees who have been victims of workplace harassment and violence
Note
Investigations into occurrences of workplace harassment and violence are carried out by external third party investigators to ensure impartiality. This will help employees feel confident in coming forward to report incidents and to trust that their concerns will be taken seriously and addressed in a fair and transparent manner.
Support
Support Services Unit
The ICHR's Support Services Unit was formed to enhance the support provided to employees, victims and survivors of workplace harassment and violence.
The Support Services Unit offers:
- support to employees who have submitted a Notice of Occurrence (Form 3919) to the ICHR
- support to current and former employees who have been victims of a criminal offence related to workplace harassment and violence
When the ICHR receives a Notice of Occurrence, the Support Services Unit will:
- provide information and explain the various steps in the process
- help determine whether the incident meets the definition of workplace harassment and violence
- ensure access to personal support is provided
- explore available options to resolve the occurrence; some options include:
- Negotiated resolution which is a form of informal resolution. Done in coordination with the Support Services Unit, some examples include:
- Discussions between the principal party and a person in a managerial position within a division
- Discussions between the principal party, the responding party and a neutral, third party such as the Case Resolution Advisor, a supervisor, a union representative, or another trusted resource
- Consultations with management, done by a Case Resolution Advisor to seek information/ask questions on behalf of the principal party regarding their specific situation
- Conciliation, which is a discussion or a series of discussions mediated by a neutral third party to facilitate the discussion(s) and assist the parties involved in reaching a resolution. This can include: If both parties agree, conciliation process through the Informal Conflict Management Program with a practitioner, or another trusted individual, such as an Elder, member of senior management, close mutual friend, etc.
- Negotiated resolution which is a form of informal resolution. Done in coordination with the Support Services Unit, some examples include:
Current and former employees who have been a victim of a criminal offence
Further to the recommendations in the Final Report on the Implementation of the Merlo Davidson Settlement Agreement, services and support offered by the dedicated resource are available on request to all current and former employees who have been victims of a criminal offence in the workplace.
Current and former employees who have been a victim of a criminal offence related to workplace harassment and violence can contact the dedicated resource for support by email at: ICHRVictimSupport-SoutienVictimesCIRH@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
When the unit is contacted, a dedicated resource will:
- Provide information about the different resources and programs available
- Direct individuals to the appropriate police of jurisdiction, if they wish to report the crime
- Provide the appropriate external victims support resources (if applicable)
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