February 26, 2025 is Pink Shirt Day across Canada and an important moment to reflect on bullying and the impacts it can have on the people around us.
In the workplace, bullying in all its forms – spreading rumours, persistent criticism, physical abuse or threats, undermining or deliberately impeding someone’s work, and social isolation – can result in absenteeism, staff turnover, work mistakes, and accidents. It can cause serious health problems, too, including depression and anxiety that could lead to self harm.
The History of Pink Shirt Day
The Pink Shirt Day movement began in Nova Scotia when students David Shepherd and Travis Price organized a protest to wear pink to support their fellow Grade 9 student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Now their care and concern is a movement celebrated across the globe.
This peer-inspired campaign aims to prevent bullying in our schools, workplaces, homes, and online. Over February, and throughout the year, Pink Shirt Day increases awareness of these issues and raises funds to support programs that foster children’s healthy self-esteem.
What can we do about bullying?
If you are being bullied:
- Talk to someone you trust
- Keep a record of what is happening
- Copy relevant letters, memos, emails, texts, etc.
- Check your employer’s policies and your collective agreement for resources available to you
- Report the harassment (we can assist with this!)
If you witness someone being bullied:
- Don’t take part in it
- Talk to the bully if you feel it’s safe to do so
- Provide a listening ear
- Support your targeted co-worker by helping report the bullying
Everyone deserves to feel safe. Let’s lift each other up and speak out to stop bullying.
To learn more, visit: https://www.pinkshirtday.ca
