By rdnewsNOW Staff

Positive Workplace Culture

Ground-breaking initiative launched to help create sexual harassment-free workspaces

Aug 31, 2021 | 3:13 PM

An Alberta-based agency has launched what it describes as a ground-breaking initiative to help create sexual harassment-free workspaces.

The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS), in partnership with Justice Canada, has launched a new campaign which focuses on what may be the missing link – workplace culture.

Officials point out that most people understand workplace culture is important for employee well-being, team success and job performance. A caring and inclusive work culture is also said to be an important primary defence against sexual harassment.

They further note that such behaviour is less likely to occur in positive workplace cultures and is more likely to be effectively addressed if it does happen.

The Alberta-wide, three-year campaign called #momentsmatter celebrates workplace cultures that promote psychological safety, success and career growth and an effective response to sexual harassment.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

22h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

While traditional sexual harassment awareness initiatives often focus on forbidden behaviors, AASAS officials say #momentsmatter turns tradition on its head, using positive modelling to motivate copycat behavior.

“Rather than focusing on what not to do, this campaign is showing people what to do,” said Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) Executive Director, Patricia Arango, in a press release. “This campaign showcases the powerful effects that a positive work culture can have on individual and organizational well-being and it illustrates how easy it can be to create those cultures, one moment at a time.”

As organizations continue to address the health and safety challenges of COVID and look for ways to stay competitive, the campaign aims to inspire greater productivity, teamwork and loyalty.

“We invite individuals and organizations from across the province to join our collective effort to grow positive workplace cultures that support equity, diversity and inclusion, keep workers healthy and safe and help stop sexual harassment,” said Arango.

According to a recent Leger survey:

• In Alberta, one in five (22 per cent) workers have been sexually harassed at work.
• One in four (24 per cent) have witnessed it.
• Nearly one in two (42 per cent) have heard of it happening.
• With 2.2 million employed Albertans, those statistics represent nearly 1.5 million workers.
• Just over one in three workers (36 per cent) would report an incident to a leader or manager.
• Even fewer (15 per cent) would report to Human Resources.

Over the summer, CASASC community educators have been visiting businesses across central Alberta to promote the #momentsmatter campaign.

CASASC Education and Community Relations Manager Carlia Schwab, said CASASC actively supports the #momentsmater initiative and how it shines a light on how important caring and inclusive workplace culture is as a primary defence against sexual harassment.

“This campaign encourages people to use positive work stories as a vehicle for influencing workplace culture,” said Schwab. “Hearing or telling real life stories that demonstrate the power of simple, everyday, respectful and caring work relationships encourages people to continue to emulate these positive behaviours – leading to more of the same. Sexual harassment is less likely to occur in a positive and respectful workplace environment.”