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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Be careful what you text. A nasty text message might lead to a human rights complaint, businesses were warned Monday.

Charles Dent, chair of the NWT Human Rights Commission, introduces a presentation on possible human rights risks at work. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

Isabel Gauthier, a human rights officer for the Office of the Director of Human Rights, gave a presentation titled "Nasty texts at work: When does texting become a human rights issue?" during the noon-hour event.

The increased frequency of new technology, such as the use of text messaging, in a work setting means people need to be aware of the position they put themselves and others into when interacting in any of these forms.

"Texting could become a human rights issue if it's work-related and if it's based on a grounds," said Charles Dent, chair of the NWT Human Rights Commission.

"You have to be careful when you're sending a text that you're not talking to somebody about ... protected grounds like race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, and so on."

In Gauthier's presentation, she cited a situation at an Ontario garage where an employee had been the subject of homophobic jibes from his assistant manager. The employee brought his concerns to his superior, but was told to let it go since the comments were intended as jokes.

After the situation escalated to a point where the employee was fired, he filed a human rights complaint against the company.

In the end, both the employer and the assistant manager had to pay $20,000 in damages to the employee.

"It's important to recognize that just because you think you're joking around, that's not considered a defence," said Dent.

"It's the actual impact of the activity that counts as to whether or not discrimination has occurred ... That is what a lot of people aren't aware of."

Dent said employers often don't realize they can contact the NWT Human Rights Commission Office of the Director for free advice on potential human rights issues, although employees use the service frequently.

In that light, the commission held a business after hours event in conjunction with the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce.

The meet-and-greet event was intended to introduce the commission's three new members and increase the organization's public presence.

It was also held to recognize International Human Rights Day, the day when the United Nations adopted the universal declaration of human rights in 1948.

"We thought it would be appropriate to celebrate Human Rights Day by putting on a couple of events that we're hoping will put a face on the human rights commission as well as provide some timely information for people," said Dent.

Grounds protected by the nwt human rights act

• Ancestry, ethnic origin, and first language
• Place of birth and nationality
• Religion or creed
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Physical, addiction or mental disabilities
• Gender
• Family status
• Marital status
• Family affiliation
• Political belief, political activity or association
• Social condition
• Source of income
• Criminal charges or criminal record
• Pardoned criminal conviction

Source - NWT Human Rights Commission

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