Scenario: Get a Change Room

Group Size: 4-15

Scenario

It is Captain (Capt) Mark Gregory's first posting to Ottawa. He is excited about the work but dismayed at being issued his first cubicle. Throughout his career, he has been advised that all career paths transit through Ottawa. As an officer with a lot of field time, he has few if any inhibitions. Capt Gregory's unit sponsor is Capt Phil Phillip who has been employed in the section for just over two years. Capt Phillip has pulled out all the stops and ensured that every single administrative arrangement has been made for Capt Gregory's arrival. During their walk-around, the captains visit the gym in the basement and then return to the sixth floor via the elevator. 

"Phil, so you're telling me that the only change rooms are those located in the gym?" asks Capt Gregory. "I plan on running and biking to and from work pretty much every day. Sometimes, I'm gonna want to throw my workout clothes on and split! Seven flights of stairs or an elevator ride each time we have to change? Well, I'm not going to change in the washroom. That's disgusting." 

"Yeah, man. It totally sucks," said Capt Phillip. "Plus, you aren't supposed to leave your stuff in the gym lockers. There are only so many lockers for the entire building. If us runners and bikers all leave our stuff there in the morning, the lockers would be maxed out with nowhere to lock up our junk during lunchtime circuits! But cheer up - there are lockers to hang your stuff up on the sixth floor. Plus, there are conference rooms, and if you're fast...I've perfected the lightning-fast cubicle change. It's the way we military folks roll roll." 

"Phil, this is the first time that I don't have an office with a door to close. Working in a cubicle isn't gonna kill me, but it's going to take a while to get used to," said Capt Gregory. 

Weeks later, Capt Gregory is anxious to get going. He has timings to meet. He needs to get his kids from the daycare, and he has dinner to make. "Phil, get moving! Time is ticking!" "Be right there," said Capt Phillips as he looks over his three-quarter cubicle walls and sees that the coast is clear. He takes a deep breath and starts to change as fast as he can. Moments later, Josephine, the section's business manager arrives. "Phil, I just…. oh, I did not need to see that, Phil! Get a grip!" she says as she storms off. 

Categories

• Principles: Respect the Dignity of all Persons
• Values: Integrity
• Cultural themes: Teamwork
• Misconduct types: Sexual Misconduct
• GBA Plus themes: Gender
• Audience: Defence Team

Facilitator’s Guide

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the ethical principle of Respect the dignity of all persons in this situation. 
• Discuss this scenario in terms of working respectfully and with integrity within in a team.
• Define Sexual Misconduct and how it applies in this scenario. 

Facilitation Questions

1. What is the problem in this scenario?  
   • Open group discussion.
   • Changing in cubicles may seem like a harmless transgression to some but it is really an insensitive and unprofessional gesture to the men and women with whom we work.  
2. What considerations are at play with respect to Defence Ethics and the military ethos? 
   • Open group discussion.
   • Discuss the ethical obligations of Respect the dignity of all persons in this situation. 
   • It could be considered unreasonable or inappropriate to change in the workplace outside a changing room or bathroom. Clearly, Capt Phillip is not showing that he Respects the dignity of all persons in a workplace with different genders represented, civilian and military. Though he may have experienced this behaviour as the norm in his past positions e.g., in an all-men or all-women field training or combat setting, it does not mean that it translates to an office setting. 
   • In all cases, one must be respectful to, and mindful of, their colleagues. 
3. Does Capt Phillips actions constitute Sexual Misconduct? Why or why not?    
   • Open group discussion.
   • Discuss the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) regulations, DAOD 9005-1, Sexual Misconduct Response. 

Discuss the definitions of Sexual Misconduct, and workplace, specific to this scenario.