Fair Treatment Policy

One of the goals of CEWIL Canada is to ensure that all members and staff work and volunteer in an environment that is supportive of scholarship, research and the free and open exchange of ideas. CEWIL Canada is committed to creating an atmosphere where all members of the association are treated fairly. The Association strives to protect and promote the dignity of individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs. CEWIL Canada is committed to ensuring a work environment that is free from harassment (based on prohibited grounds of discrimination under the various federal and provincial human rights codes).

The purpose of this Fair Treatment Policy, further referred to as “Policy” in this document, is to identify the characteristics of abuse, exploitation, harassment, and discrimination and to establish procedures for dealing with them. This Policy is thus designed to educate and alert all members of the Association to the existence of abuse, exploitation, harassment, and discrimination, their negative impact on interpersonal interactions, and on the resources and operation of the Association.

This Policy covers all members of the Association, including the Board of Directors, members and volunteers, and visitors in the performance of their Association-related duties and activities in and out of the CEWIL Canada Head Office. Visitors to the office of CEWIL Canada are expected to adhere to the provisions of this Policy and may be the subject of a complaint under this Policy.

All office staff, Board of Directors, and members have the responsibility of ensuring that the Association’s working environment is free from harassment. Additionally, all employees and volunteers are expected at all times to engage in appropriate business conduct so that a working environment free from harassment is maintained. Anyone known to have engaged in harassment of another person shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Anyone wishing to make a complaint of workplace harassment may do so by contacting CEWIL Canada’s . Initially, discussions of a complaint will be confidential. However, if an investigation is begun, the complainant’s identity and the details of the complaint will be made known to the alleged harasser.

As representatives of CEWIL Canada and regional associations, volunteer forums for promoting Canadian post-secondary education programs, volunteer members, and employees may at times be actively involved in dealing with the public, including young people, the elderly, and people with disabilities. As a volunteer association, CEWIL Canada is committed to protecting the interests of all participants in CEWIL Canada activities.

Download a copy of the Fair Treatment Policy.

CEWIL Canada Complaint Policy

CEWIL Canada, formerly known as CAFCE, is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the professional development of its members and establishes guidelines for planning, implementing, and maintaining quality work-integrated learning programs across Canada.

CEWIL Canada has an obligation to respond to complaints that may be lodged against a member who has allegedly behaved inappropriately while representing the association.  Complaints are to be directed to the CEWIL Canada President Elect no later than six (6) months after the incident.

Complaints or disagreements with a work-integrated learning program at an individual institution must be lodged directly with the institution. We advise that the complainant check the post-secondary institution’s grievance or appeal policy, or register their complaint with their institution’s work-integrated learning department or faculty.

CEWIL Canada follows its Fair Treatment Policy when dealing with alleged complaints. A person wishing to file a complaint must first review and follow the process set out in the Fair Treatment Policy that is available upon request ([email protected]).

Please note that if the complaint involves a clear violation of accreditation guidelines and standards of an accredited institution, then this matter would be referred to the CEWIL Canada Accreditation Council.

©2006 Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) o/a Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada 

Approved on February 17, 2006

Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada is an equal opportunity educator and employer.