Warm up for the holidays at VGH

Kristen

Endorsing use of this calendar and visit by the firemen model to sign it as a fundraiser erodes VCH efforts to promote a respectful workplace culture. I believe this calendar is an example of the objectification of humans where people are viewed and used for personal pleasure. Such objectification does not belong in a workplace of respect, and especially not in an organisation that aims to promote health in our communities. The current #metoo movement is helping to reveal how our culture has normalised attitudes and behaviours of objectification (even harassment and assault) as expected aspects of some workplaces leading to deterioration in workers emotional, physical and sexual health. I don’t think VCH would endorse the use of a calendar of scantily clad women and a visit by women models to sign such a calendar and I’m concerned that it has been deemed acceptable to use men’s bodies to raise money. While some may argue that the sale of the firemen calendar is a small and insignificant thing, I suspect it is such small, normalised acts that contribute to the creation of a workplace culture.