Is this service confidential?
Yes. We collect only the information we need to set up a meeting with a navigator or lawyer. We may ask you for an email address so we can send you a survey that will help us understand how to improve our program. The survey is optional and completely anonymous.
The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia will share some statistics with our funder, the federal Department of Justice. They will want to know how often Nova Scotians use the program and what part of the province they live in. The information we share will not identify anyone using the program.
What can I expect?
When you reach out to us, we will ask for some information: Email, phone number, employer, location, and a brief summary of your story. Once we receive this information we will connect you with one of our legally-trained navigators. Our navigators are trained to help you take the right action to deal with what has happened at your workplace. They are also trained to work with clients who may feel traumatized.
In your conversation, the Navigators will tell you about your rights and ways you can deal with what is happening at work. Everyone’s situation is different, and the Navigator will answer questions and provide guidance about your work situation and experience.
If the situation required additional supports, we may reach out to a volunteer Lawyer on our roster for additional supports and assistance.
You and the Navigator may use your four hours in the way that works best for you. For example, your first meeting might be two hours, and you might have another appointment later on.
You might not need four hours of legal support. If your issue is complex, you might feel that you need more than four hours. If you need more time, phone or email us and we will do our best to help.
Is there a cost?
No. Your can get up to for hours of free legal support. You might not need four hours of legal support. If your issue is complex, you might feel that you need more than four hours. If you need more time, phone or email us and we will do our best to help.
Do I have to take legal action if I get your support?
You are in control, and what you do next is entirely up to you.
For some people, taking legal action to deal with a sensitive matter can be overwhelming. You may take any of the steps or options that the lawyer tells you about, or you may do nothing. Our program aims to help you better understand your options so that you can make the choices and take the actions that are best for you.
I want a referral. What are the next steps?
If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment and need support, please either use the phone number or email address above, or fill out the form with your name, email, phone number, employer and where you are in Nova Scotia, and send to us. When you submit your information it will be sent to our Program Coordinator, who will be in touch to arrange a referral for you. We do our best to follow up within 48 hours.
When we respond, we will request that you provide us with a brief summary. This is to ensure that we match you with the most appropriate person to provide you the support you need. Please note: a brief summary is required to be matched.
We do need either a phone number or an email address to arrange a referral for you. You can give us either, or both. If you are comfortable providing an email address, we would be grateful so that in addition to arranging a referral we can also send you a feedback survey to help us improve our program.
We ask for your location so, if we need to connect you with a lawyer for further legal support, we can refer you to a lawyer in your community whenever possible and they can perform an accurate conflict of interest check.
When you disclose this information to us, it will be used solely by the LISNS Workplace Sexual Harassment Project team to help us match you with the appropriate supports, and understand how and where workplace sexual harassment is affecting Nova Scotians.
Conflict Check: Please note that if you see a lawyer through our referral program, the lawyer or administrative staff at the law firm will complete a conflict check. Don't worry: this is a standard practice at law firms. A lawyer can't give you advice if someone at their firm is already representing the other side on any kind of legal issue. If a law firm has a conflict, our Program Coordinator will work to find an alternative solution, such as different lawyer.
The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia is a free service that gives you information about the law and your rights and responsibilities. The Government of Canada, through the Department of Justice, graciously funds the pdf Workplace Sexual Harassment Legal Advice Program. (308 KB)