June 19, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Mandatory “Respect in the Workplace” sessions now underway

Call it “Sensitivity 101.” CBC employees are currently undergoing training via a four-hour workshop called Respect in the Workplace. Attendance is mandatory.

The idea for the session came from a recent report and series of surveys (Wellness, Employee, even a CMG survey) that pointed to a general lack of respect for colleagues.

The session examines the current environment, what (if anything) people would like to change and how to do that, what role the individual plays in contributing to a more respectful workplace, and some discussion of how to cope with being on the receiving end of disrespectful behaviour. (Note to self: Making fart noises under my armpit, giggling, and running away is no longer an acceptable response.)

So far, at least one review is pretty positive. John Paolozzi, CBC Radio 3′s blogger, wrote:

The seminar wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I was concerned it was going to be a PC love-fest, which would have been sort of insulting to a group of people who are generally so liberally minded, but as it turns out… it was about respect in the work-place.

Now, with the possible exception of the pile of dishes on my desk, my habit of shouting to people in other cubicles, using profane language, showing up on time for meetings, blaming others for errors I’ve made, and going bare-foot in the office, I don’t really see how this applies to me.

CBC employees: Have you attended one of these sessions? What do you think? (Note: Comments for this post open only to CBC employees who post from inside the CBC.)


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3 Responses to “Mandatory “Respect in the Workplace” sessions now underway”

    Gaia says:

    Why did you post this to “your” readers, if we cannot comment on it, otherwise, keep it to yourselves!!!

    Tod replies:
    I guess I didn’t word it correctly. Anyone can comment, of course, though obviously only people who at at the CBC will have gone through the session. This blog often gets pranked by people posting pretending to be a CBC employee, so I just wanted people to know that I can tell from their I.P. address whether they are inside the CBC or not. (I can’t tell who they are or even what city they’re in, though.)
    Marita says:

    Went to the workshop (told we would not be paid for that time unless we did; I guess that rule didn’t apply to EVERYone…) A total waste of time. Everyone played nice, said what the facilitators expected to hear in the session. Back to work….things continue as they did before.

    You can’t FORCE people to change. If they are disrespectful (etc.) you can confront them, report them, charge them….whatever. “Enforcing respect” sure doesn’t work in my plant.
    Carter says:

    Forcing people to respect anything is inherently worthy of contempt. Respect needs to be earned. Maybe you should ask the question “Are standards of craftsmanship dropping?” or something like that. The people getting contempt may deserve it.