(由 Google 翻译)这是一份针对有意在哈利法克斯北纪念图书馆工作或到访该馆人士的警告。我作为前员工分享我的经历,是因为我认为公众有权了解该分馆在员工和读者安全、工作场所文化以及管理实践方面存在的严重且持续存在的问题。
在哈利法克斯北纪念图书馆工作期间,我亲身经历并目睹了多名员工反复实施骚扰、欺凌和不专业行为。这些问题非常严重,以至于哈利法克斯公共图书馆(HPL)对此展开了正式调查。虽然我无法透露具体细节,但我可以透露,调查结果显示我曾遭到一名员工的性骚扰,并且还发生了其他工作场所骚扰事件。
多名员工报告了类似的经历或观察,然而尽管有这些调查结果,我认为管理层未能采取足够的纠正措施。涉事员工目前仍在直接与青少年和弱势读者接触,这令人严重质疑HPL在确保安全和尊重环境方面的承诺。
就我个人经验而言,哈利法克斯北馆的管理文化体现了一种“男性俱乐部”式的思维模式,这种模式阻碍了员工举报不当行为。提出合理担忧的员工常常感到孤立无援或遭到报复,这使得他们很难感到安全、被支持或被倾听。
此外,哈利法克斯公共图书馆自身的政策——包括禁止员工单独与18岁以下读者相处的规定——在该分馆经常被忽视。我曾亲眼目睹过此类政策被违反的情况,而管理层却不愿介入或执行旨在保护青少年的规则。这种对政策的漠视,加上管理层的不作为,营造了一种令员工和读者都感到不安全的环境。
基于我的亲身经历以及其他挺身而出的人的经历,我无法推荐哈利法克斯北馆作为安全健康的工作场所。缺乏问责制以及对员工和读者安全的漠视是不可接受的,对于一个本应是值得信赖的社区场所的公共机构而言,这令人深感失望。
我发表此声明并非出于恶意,而是出于对可能在该分馆工作或到访的其他人的真切关切。看到HPL在处理性骚扰问题和保障员工安全方面如此糟糕,令人深感失望。HPL未能维护员工和社区应有的安全、尊重和责任感。透明度和问责制是变革的必要条件,我希望这能促使HPL领导层采取切实有效的行动,保护员工和他们所服务的公众。
如果您正在寻找一个安全且充满支持的环境,我强烈建议您考虑其他图书馆或社区资源。遗憾的是,该分馆并未将员工和读者的福祉放在首位,因此我无论如何都不推荐它。
(原文)
This is a warning for anyone considering employment or visiting the Halifax North Memorial Library. I am sharing my experience as a former employee because I believe the public deserves to be aware of serious and ongoing concerns related to staff and patron safety, workplace culture, and management practices at this branch.
During my time at Halifax North, I personally experienced and witnessed repeated incidents of harassment, bullying, and unprofessional behaviour by multiple staff members. These issues were serious enough to result in a formal investigation by Halifax Public Libraries (HPL). While I am unable to share confidential details, I can say that investigation concluded that I had been sexually harassed by a staff member, and that other instances of workplace harassment had also occurred.
Multiple employees have reported similar experiences or observations, yet despite these findings, I believe management failed to take sufficient corrective action. The individual involved continues to work directly with youth and vulnerable patrons, which raises significant concerns about HPL’s commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
In my experience, the management culture at Halifax North reflects a “boys' club” mentality that discourages staff from speaking up about misconduct. Employees who raise legitimate concerns often feel isolated or retaliated against, making it extremely difficult to feel safe, supported, or heard.
Additionally, HPL’s own policies — including those prohibiting staff from being alone with patrons under 18 — are routinely ignored at this branch. I have observed situations where this policy was not followed, and management was unwilling to intervene or enforce the rules meant to protect youth. The disregard for policy, combined with the lack of intervention from management, has created an environment where both staff and patrons are left feeling unsafe.
Based on my direct experience and the experiences of others who have come forward, I cannot recommend the Halifax North Memorial Library as a safe or healthy workplace. The lack of accountability and disregard for staff and patron safety is unacceptable and deeply disappointing for a public institution that should be a trusted community space.
I share this statement not out of malice, but out of genuine concern for others who may work at or visit this branch. It is disheartening to see how poorly HPL handled the issue of sexual harassment and the safety of its employees. HPL has failed to uphold the level of safety, respect, and accountability that employees and the community deserve. Transparency and accountability are essential for change, and I hope this encourages HPL leadership to take meaningful action to protect both their employees and the public they serve.
If you're seeking a safe and supportive environment, I strongly recommend considering other library locations or community resources. Unfortunately, this branch does not prioritize the well-being of its staff or patrons, and I cannot recommend it under any circumstances.