How the service industry is trying to address a 'culture of sexual harassment'

The service industry on P.E.I. is trying to tackle a problem they say has been around for years sexual harassment.

UpstreetCraft Brewing in Charlottetown introduceda new policy and online campaign this week aimed at tackling the issue.

Maria Campbell, an employee at Upstreetwhohas worked in the service industry for over a decade, says she's dealt with far too many uncomfortable situations.

"We focused a lot on harassment in the tap room because that seems to be a pretty major issue across the industry people kind of assume that harassment and sexual harassment in particular is part of the gig."

'A tangible tool to come forward'

Along with avideo the brewery posted on their Facebook pageisa new code of conduct that the company expects staff, patrons and suppliers to abide by. It will be posted in the tap room and printed on cards that staff can give to patrons.

I think it's a priority in all parts of the industry right now and everybody is re-looking at their policies again, you don't want to wait until an incident happens when it's too late.KevinMouflier, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I.

Campbell said the hope is that these measuresstop harassment, or at least make it easier to report it when it happens.

"It also empowers victims of any harassment in our spaces to come forward and say, 'Look, this is in direct violation of the code of conduct that you've laid out,'"she said.

"So it gives them a tangible tool to come forward and speak up to anything that may have gone wrong."

Industry priority

Carl Nicholson, president of the PEIRestaurant Association, saidthe majority of itsmembers are also taking a closer look at their policies.

"This is kind of the next issue that operators need to get behind and support their staff on getting policies in placethat protect employees," he said.

KevinMouflier, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I., said its members have access to HR specialists who can work with businesses to help establish sexual harassment policies and procedures.

"I think it's a priority in all parts of the industry right now and everybody is re-looking at their policies again, you don't want to wait until an incident happens when it's too late."

'We want to change things'

Campbell saidUpstreet hopes to turn its code of conduct into a policy kit other restaurants canadopt.

"We really want to shift the culture, we want to change things."

One of the largest restaurant groups on the Island already has a sexual harassment policy in place and reviews it every six months.

RachelVidito, the chief cultureofficer with Murphy Hospitality Group, said she commends what establishments like Upstreet are doing.

"Imean in this day and age, this is something that's very prevalent I have to applaud them and commend them for their actions."

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