Manitoba Updates Respectful Workplace Legislation

I just got a call from a friend.  She had a meeting this morning that she had been dreading for a week.  She made a poor judgement at work resulting in a mistake that affected client service.  She had to meet with her manager and it was bad timing.  She had been working with the same manager for the last ten years.  He just retired and a new manager had just started.  She didn't have much of a relationship with her new boss.  She was worried.  She asked if she should bring a union representative to the meeting and her new boss said that was her right but he didn't think it was necessary. Another friend and I coached this friend to admit her mistake, take responsibility, and suggest solutions that it didn't happen again.  My friend called to say that is what she did and things worked out better than she anticipated.  Not only were some process changed that will prevent her from being in these situations to begin with, the primary message from her boss was, "how can I support you?"  

I am happy for my friend.  She works in a respectful workplace.  

Today, the government introduces new legislation to update respectful workplace policies.  I confess that I am a little biased.  Our current provincial government has made many cuts to programs and staff, it is hard to think they are truly motivated to protect workers in the workplace.  

Regardless, it makes me a little annoyed that we need our government's to pass legislation to have a respectful workplace.  It should be common sense and not something that needs protection.   Sadly, I know I am being naive.  We do need respectful workplace policies and legislation.  But, it seems it is never effective for the ones who need protecting.  It seems to me that regardless of all the respectful workplace policies in place, my friend this morning would have been treated fairly and respectfully.  That is just the nature of most. 

I have another friend who left a job because of severe bullying by her manager.  She eventually had the courage to file a complaint with her HR department.  The person assigned to investigate the matter conducted his investigation by telling my friend that her manager was one of the best they had and he wasn't going to listen to anything negative about her.  That closed-minded rush to judgement is not healthy or respectful.  The company ended up losing a good employee and a lousy employee.  After my friend left, other employees came forward with their own stories until HR was forced to look at the situation.  It turned out the manager was a horrible bully and didn't have managerial skills.  The company could have save themselves time and money had they listened to my friend in the first place.  

My friend's story is the only one I know but I doubt it is an isolated incident.  Sometimes, it doesn't matter how many policies and legislation you have, somehow the ones who are most vulnerable slip through the cracks.  The people who are disrespectful get buoyed by their lack of consequences and think it is a green light to ramp up their tactics.  

When did respect become an abstract concept?  Why can't we all just be kind, compassionate, and act with integrity.