Harassment or Discrimination
A lawyer or limited licensee must not discriminate against or harass a colleague, employee, client or any other person. Examples of discrimination include:
- refusing to provide legal services to any person on the basis of any personal characteristic protected by applicable law;
- charging higher fees on the basis of any personal characteristic protected by applicable law;
- using derogatory racial, gendered, or religious language to describe a person or group of persons; and
- comments, jokes or innuendos that cause humiliation, embarrassment or offence, or that by their nature, and in their context, are clearly embarrassing, humiliating or offensive.
Harassment may include discrimination or be linked to discrimination. It includes:
- physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct (including electronic communications); and
- conduct that might reasonably be expected to cause humiliation, offence or intimidation.
See section 6.3-2, commentary [1] of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers or the Law Society of Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct for Limited Licensees for more information.
If you believe the lawyer or limited licensee has engaged in harassment or discrimination, submit a complaint.
Common Questions
See the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission website for more information.
Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to:
- offensive behaviour that is, or should be, known to be unwelcome. This includes comments or displays that shame, belittle, scare, or embarrass someone.
- behaviour that is degrading, threatening, or abusive — whether physical, mental, or emotional.
- bullying.
- verbal abuse.
- misuse of authority, where a lawyer or limited licensee uses their position to harm, intimidate, or block another person’s career.
- comments, jokes, or hints that are, or should be, known to cause shame, embarrassment, or offence. This also includes words or actions that are clearly meant to embarrass, shame, or offend someone in their context.
- giving out work unfairly.
Bullying, including cyberbullying, is a form of harassment. It may involve physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct. Bullying includes, but is not limited to:
- unfair or excessive criticism
- ridicule
- humiliation
- exclusion or isolation
- constantly changing or setting unrealistic work targets
- threats or intimidation