Respect at Lakeland FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is Respect at Lakeland?

Respect at Lakeland is a comprehensive online training program that addresses the topics of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination in our workplace. Through many vignettes and role play, it describes appropriate strategies to deal with those behaviours.

The training was created by the Respect Group and designed for our college. Senior leadership has endorsed the program. It establishes a common language and foundational knowledge around acceptable workplace culture.

What is a respectful workplace?

A respectful workplace is one that is healthy, safe, supportive ,inclusive and honours diversity. It is a place where students and staff are valued; communication is polite and courteous; people are treated with respect; conflict is addressed in a positive and civil manner; and disrespectful behaviour is not tolerated. If you work for Lakeland, you are expected to conduct yourself respectfully. We honour others by demonstrating care and concern for their perspectives and ideas.

Why is Lakeland implementing a training program about respect now?

Great question! For several years, we have been looking for a respectful workplace training program that could help our staff continue to live out one of our core values—respect and we’re pleased to share it with our team.

Respect is an essential part of who we are as a college. We strive to provide a safe and healthy work and learning environment—one that promotes human rights and personal dignity and is free from any disrespectful behaviour. Respect at Lakeland is one way to do this.

How long will it take me to complete the training program?

The training takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and can be done as one of your daily tasks. You can start and stop as desired, and the program can be completed incrementally and at your own pace. Please try to complete the training within two weeks of starting it; during regular work hours.

Is the training mandatory?

Respect at Lakeland serves as a foundational piece to develop common language and understanding across the entire organization. All faculty and staff are expected to take this training. New employees should set a goal of finishing the training within two months of starting at Lakeland.

Why should staff participate?

We all want to be part of a workplace where we feel valued, safe and respected. Respect at Lakeland provides greater awareness of the shared responsibility we each have to help foster such an environment. This training provides standard tools and common

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understanding to empower staff to prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

How do I access the training?

The training is available through a direct-link email. You will need to create a profile with the Respect Group using your Lakeland email address and name. This is an important step in ensuring that we have an accurate list of staff who have successfully completed the training.

Privacy notice: The information requested to create your profile is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It is required to register in the training module. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, you should contact Lakeland’s FOIP coordinator. The only course details shared with Lakeland HR is the notice of course completion.

How do I create a profile?

When you start the training module, you will be required to register as a new user: 1) Click on “New to this program? Click here to register now”.

2) When prompted, click “Register as a new user”.

3) Enter your information, using your Lakeland email address.

4) Submit registration. You will be requested to review and accept the privacy policy.

Once you are successfully logged in, you will need to select “Program Access” to view the modules.

If you choose to complete the program in stages, you will need to login when you return using the username and password you created.

If you already have a profile with Respect Group (if you have taken the Respect in Sport training, for example), you can login as an existing user. However, you will be prompted to change your email address to your Lakeland address, in order to continue to the Respect at Lakeland module. This is a vendor requirement, as Respect Group prefers to only have one user profile within their system.

After viewing the online modules, I feel I may have experienced a disrespectful incident in my workplace that I would like to address. What are my options?

Our Workplace Violence Prevention policy and Workplace Harassment Prevention policy outline the steps staff can take if they feel they have experienced a disrespectful situation that should be reported.

As a first step, staff are encouraged to explore options for informally resolving their concerns before making a formal complaint—that might include speaking with the person or people involved or talking to your supervisor, if you are comfortable doing so. However, additional processes are in place for more formal reporting, including bringing the situation to the attention of the executive director of Human Resources.

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If you need support in interpreting the policy or procedure, or need some advice on how to proceed in your specific circumstance, please reach out to your Human Resources Consultant.

If you are a member of Faculty or AUPE, you can also access your union for support and advice.

The program has brought up some difficult memories and emotions. What resources are available to me?

You may talk to your Human Resources Consultant, Coordinator Health Services or access our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), where you can access confidential counselling or trauma assistance. Our EFAP also provides a number of online resources that are free to staff.

Do I receive anything upon completion of the training?

Yes. Staff who complete the training will receive a certificate from Respect Group, the creator of this program. Staff will also be given a “I am respect-certified” sticker. Staff are encouraged to put this sticker on an item they take with them around campus, such as a coffee mug or water bottle, laptop, briefcase, cellphone case or binder. This indicates to other staff that the individual has completed the training and will stimulate conversation and encourage or inspire his or her colleagues to enrol in the program.

I’m finished the online training program, what’s next?

Congratulations on becoming respect-certified! The next step is to take what you learned through this training and apply it in your everyday interactions. It would also be great if you could encourage your colleagues to complete the training as well.

Who do I contact if I have questions or need more information?

You can talk to your supervisor, contact the Coordinator of Health Services, or connect with your Human Resources Consultant.

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