6.5 Teaching Notes
Winifred Athembo; Nikhil Garg; Richa Kabaria; Sarah Kulewksa; Celine Wai Shan Li; Deirdre Maultsaid; Simrenprit Parmar; and Lesli Sangha
Note to teachers
This scenario deals with sensitive and controversial issues. Discussions may be upsetting for some students. Please provide context and background information about the sexual harassment of women, transgender women and non-binary people and safety at work, especially background information that challenges common assumptions. This background information will help prepare students for a robust but respectful discussion. Please see the background information above and the bibliography below or seek other sources from your own diversity and inclusion specialists, anti-racist advisors, or educational supports.
What will students discuss?
As relevant to course learning outcomes, students will discuss any of the following:
- bias
- diversity, equity and inclusion, belonging, justice, dignity, human rights
- gender
- gender identity and expression
- gendered harassment
- crime
- sexual harassment
- bystander behaviours
- “victim blaming”
- worker protection
- worker safety
- worker night shifts
- retail industry practices
- social expectations/customer service
- safety policies and procedures
- management
- professionalism, organizational development, leadership
- human resources
- policy making and enforcement
- employer obligations
- organizational culture
- other relevant topics
Students may suggest various courses of action for the characters in the case.
- Students may argue that Mamie should report the incidents to the police.
- Students may argue that Mamie should speak to the manager informally.
- Students may argue that Mamie should file a formal written incident report with the manager and argue for the benefits of doing so.
- Students may argue that it is the responsibility of the employer to implement workplace harassment policies and suggest ways these policies and strategies could be implemented.
- Students may argue that it is the responsibility of the employer to implement more formal safety strategies/proper security/safety training.
- Students may choose to argue that bad customer behaviour will happen and the employer cannot control it; they can only encourage customer service personnel to deal with it politely and calmly.
- Other ideas.
