BC Housing said it welcomes an independent investigation into harassment and bullying at Chimo Community Services, an agency it provides funding to.
The Richmond News has learned an internal investigation into complaints of harassment and bullying is taking place – the second one in three years - at the agency, which runs Nova House, a shelter for women fleeing abuse, as well as many other services, for example, crisis lines.
“Results of the investigation will be shared with BC Housing to inform next steps,” BC Housing said in a statement to the News.
A bullying and harassment WorkSafeBC claim was approved last year for a worker at Chimo, who has subsequently been on leave since last summer.
BC Housing stated it has “zero tolerance” for bullying and harassment, adding “we take very seriously any allegation of misconduct by service providers that we fund.”
BC Housing is one of the funders of Chimo Community Services, but the City of Richmond also gives an annual grant of $50,000 to Chimo, approved by city council.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie told the News, while he has confidence in the services provided by Chimo, he expects city council to get more information about the WorkSafeBC claim, either in a formal or informal process.
“While you always review all these situations, Chimo is a long-standing, very valuable member of our community, from the crisis lines to Nova House for battered women, they have a lot of very good programs that I certainly support,” Brodie said, calling it a “steadfast” organization.
The province was recently looking to consolidate its crisis lines, but this was something Richmond city council opposed.
Brodie pointed out this is an example of the service they provide, and city council wanted Chimo to continue offering it.
“Before I would comment further (on the WorkSafeBC claim), I would have to know a lot more about it, and I know very little,” he said, adding “I have no doubt we will find out more about their organization.”
WorkSafeBC recently released statistics on bullying and harassment in B.C., saying they received 3,400 enquiries in 2021, and responded to 931 specific complaints about bullying and harassment in the workplace. Of the 931 bullying and harassment complaints, WorkSafeBC said 44 came from Richmond.
Bullying and harassment in the workplace can take many forms, WorkSafeBC noted. For example it might include verbal aggression, personal attacks and other intimidating or humiliating behaviours.
Moreover, it can take place between workers, workers and management or workers and customers, clients and other members of the public.
“Workplace bullying and harassment can have far-reaching impacts on a worker’s psychological health and safety — it can lead to anxiety, depression, absenteeism and lower productivity,” said Al Johnson, head of Prevention Services with WorkSafeBC. “No one should be subject to bullying and harassment at work.”
