The person in charge of British Columbia Ambulance Service declined to say how many people have lost their jobs in the wake of a report calling for B次元官网网址渦rgentB次元官网网址� action given the B次元官网网址渂readth of sexual harassmentB次元官网网址� in the service.
But Leanne Heppell, chief ambulance officer at BC Emergency Health Services, said BCAS has already taken steps to address issues raised by the report while acknowledging the possibility of future firings.
B次元官网网址淎ny incident thatB次元官网网址檚 brought to our attention, we do a full investigation and discipline can occur up to and including termination,B次元官网网址� Heppell told Black Press Media.
She also said individuals receiving care through BCAS can be confident in the quality of care they receive.
B次元官网网址淚 want to reassure the public, that we have a very proud tradition of providing caring and compassionate care to all of our patients and families across the province,B次元官网网址� Heppell said. B次元官网网址淚 know that to be true, because on a weekly basis, I get at least three formal letters from the public talking about the care and the compassion, that they have received. Overall, our employees are extremely committed and provide excellent care.B次元官网网址�
Heppell made these comments after the release of a report, which she had commissioned following an earlier survey that questioned whether the service was doing enough to prevent psychological abuse for employees. Heppell had also toured the province following her hiring in 2021.
The report from Cathe Gaskell reveals a workplace in which certain teams tolerated B次元官网网址�(sexualized) comments and gender-based derogatory banterB次元官网网址� and an unspecified number of inappropriate touching, which B次元官网网址渋ncluded stroking, smacking, and rubbing against by males to females.B次元官网网址�
The report also finds a reluctance among victims of sexual harassment to speak up and when they speak to have their concerns taken seriously.
B次元官网网址�(It)B次元官网网址檚 a reasonable conclusion that sexual harassment is under-reported at BCEHS,B次元官网网址� Gaskell wrote. B次元官网网址淎 number of staff expressed that in raising a complaint, it will not be acted upon or taken seriously.B次元官网网址�
The report paints a less than flattering light of managers as well as the ambulance union.
B次元官网网址淪ome staff believed managers may be complicit in protecting friends and that a B次元官网网址榖oys clubB次元官网网址� was still in existence that protected predators,B次元官网网址� she wrote. B次元官网网址淪taff expressed concerns that the union had reportedly supported alleged perpetrators, both historically and currently and this created conflict,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淪ome staff alleged it appeared perpetrators were protected through minimal sanctions for those found to have sexually harassed others and these minimal sanctions might reinforce a sense of impunity in colleagues.B次元官网网址�
Patients were also not immune to the effects of a low level of awareness about Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, the report reads.
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Gaskell said some staff reported a lack of sensitivity and awareness in colleagues when working with Indigenous patients and communities in making disparaging and racist comments when attending a scene.
Other long-standing issues depressing staff morale include scheduling and payroll. B次元官网网址淪taff wanted this urgently resolved as it impacted on trust within the organisation on many levels and contributed to a sense of not being heard by the senior management team,B次元官网网址� Gaskell wrote.
Heppell said the ambulance service has rolled out B次元官网网址渧ery intensive trainingB次元官网网址� to its human resources team to strengthen its ability to address these issues, as well as a 24-7 hotline for staff to report any issues.
The service is also in the process of recruiting a director of diversity and a new chief of people, equity and diversity.
The report and its findings comes amid staff shortages that have drawn complaints from the public and elected officials across the province.
B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址ow itB次元官网网址檚 time for us to really focus on on our employees and make sure that we are providing them a safe environment to work in thatB次元官网网址檚 inclusive and that free of racismB次元官网网址� and thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly what we are doing,B次元官网网址� Heppell said.
Black Press Media reached out to Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. but did not receive a reply by deadline.
wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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