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 害羞草研究所渦rgent害羞草研究所� action given the 害羞草研究所渂readth of sexual harassment害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淎ny incident that害羞草研究所檚 brought to our attention, we do a full investigation and discipline can occur up to and including termination,害羞草研究所� Heppell told Black Press Media.

She also said individuals receiving care through BCAS can be confident in the quality of care they receive.

害羞草研究所淚 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,害羞草研究所� Heppell said. 害羞草研究所淚 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.害羞草研究所�

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 害羞草研究所�(sexualized) comments and gender-based derogatory banter害羞草研究所� and an unspecified number of inappropriate touching, which 害羞草研究所渋ncluded stroking, smacking, and rubbing against by males to females.害羞草研究所�

The report also finds a reluctance among victims of sexual harassment to speak up and when they speak to have their concerns taken seriously.

害羞草研究所�(It)害羞草研究所檚 a reasonable conclusion that sexual harassment is under-reported at BCEHS,害羞草研究所� Gaskell wrote. 害羞草研究所淎 number of staff expressed that in raising a complaint, it will not be acted upon or taken seriously.害羞草研究所�

The report paints a less than flattering light of managers as well as the ambulance union.

害羞草研究所淪ome staff believed managers may be complicit in protecting friends and that a 害羞草研究所榖oys club害羞草研究所� was still in existence that protected predators,害羞草研究所� she wrote. 害羞草研究所淪taff expressed concerns that the union had reportedly supported alleged perpetrators, both historically and currently and this created conflict,害羞草研究所� she added. 害羞草研究所淪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.害羞草研究所�

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. 害羞草研究所淪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,害羞草研究所� Gaskell wrote.

Heppell said the ambulance service has rolled out 害羞草研究所渧ery intensive training害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所満π卟菅芯克��now it害羞草研究所檚 time for us to really focus on on our employees and make sure that we are providing them a safe environment to work in that害羞草研究所檚 inclusive and that free of racism害羞草研究所� and that害羞草研究所檚 exactly what we are doing,害羞草研究所� 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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