Workplace Harassment Policy In Ontario - Why You Need One
The Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act mandates all employers in Ontario to provide a workplace that is safe and healthy for employees
. On December 10, 2009, the Ontario government passed Bill 168, which amended the Occupational Health & Safety Act to address the issues of workplace harassment and violence.
The first step towards minimizing the risk of potentially costly complications of a harassment complaint is the development of a well thought out set of policies and detailed procedures that will clearly communicate how you will deal with harassment in your workplace.
A thorough harassment policy should include:
- a strong statement of your commitment to providing a workplace free of harassment and violence
- a clear definition of what constitutes harassment
the procedure for your employees to report an incidence of harassment or violence
- the detailed procedures to be followed in response to a harassment or violence complaint
- a statement related to the disciplinary consequences of a breach of the policy
- a statement regarding the confidentiality of the process
Although the Act does provide some specific guidelines with respect to the elements of an acceptable Health & Safety Program, Ontario employers do have a lot of flexibility with respect to how they will ensure that healthy and safe work environment. However, harassment and violence in the workplace, when not dealt with quickly, consistently and completely, can put you into a very expensive litigation process.
Your Health & Safety Manual with detailed reference to your harassment policy could be a section in your Employment Policy Manual or could be a separate document.