Every jurisdiction lists the components that must be included in policies and programs to prevent harassment and violence. While there are differences between jurisdictions, there are numerous aspects that are universal, including: What constitutes violence and harassment? Several definitions comprise formal bullying Performing a workplace assessment (a hazard identification and risk assessment) with a focus on violence or harassment Creating and putting into effect preventative measures creating a policy and program, putting the program into action, and accompanying reporting processes establishing a mechanism for reporting and resolving disputes, including how to do so Providing instruction, education, or training to employees deciding on methods to protect privacy and confidentiality listing the available supports (internally, externally) maintaining records necessary Updating the policies and programs through ongoing evaluation and improvement procedures reporting to the appropriate authority as needed Including further criteria for circumstances such working late hours in retail, gas stations, convenience stores, or other late-night work, family (domestic) abuse, etc. For more details, kindly consult the following OSH Answers documents: Occupational Bullying Internet abuse or harassment Workplace Violence and Harassment Workplace Violence and Harassment the family (Domestic) Violence Workplace Violence and Harassment - Lawmaking Dealing with Negative Interactions in the Face of Workplace Violence and Harassment Workplace Violence and Harassment Safety in Parking Lots Workplace Violence and Harassment - Alert Signs Workplace Violence and Harassment - Staying Up Late Additional details can be found in the following OSH Answer publications on Working Alone: Individual Work - General Managing Money While Working Alone Self-employed and off-site Working with patients versus working alone
What are the sources of the laws against violence and harassment?
A list of laws and a brief explanation of the components of a harassment or violence prevention policy and program are provided in the table below for your reference. NOTICE that other requirements not included in this table may exist in other sections, rules, codes, or Acts. Consult the legislation directly for more information. For detailed information, always check with your jurisdiction and the law that is relevant to your circumstance. Table 1 lists the main legislation in Canada that prohibits violence or harassment. Elements of Jurisdictional Legislation (general summary) Canada Canada Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations, Part II of the Labour Code workplace evaluation Occupational policy Training Process of responding and solving problems, including research program analysis yearly report Sections 4.22 to 4.31 of the British Columbia Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, B.C. Reg. 296/97 risk evaluation Policies and procedures training of employees For late-night retail workplaces, there are additional regulations Part 27 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code from 2009 Violence Plan, regulation, and practices for preventing violence Plans, guidelines, and policies for preventing harassment Reaction and research comprising domestic violence program analysis Training Additional regulations for places of employment, including gas stations, convenience stores, and other retail fueling facilities Saskatchewan Duty re policy statement on violence and prevention plan, Saskatchewan Employment Act, S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1 Section 3-21 Sections 36 and 37 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 (R.R.S., c. O-1, r. 1) address harassment and violence, respectively. Statement of policy and preventative strategy at designated workplaces Policy for preventing harassment (e.g., reporting, privacy, procedures, etc.) policy implementation Policy against violence (e.g., risk to staff, procedures, actions to minimize or eliminate risk, training, etc.) Additional specifications for late-night retail establishments Part 10 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Man. Reg. 217/2006) addresses harassment. Part 11 Policy on violence and harassment prevention Assessment of violence in the workplace policy for preventing violence Investigating and putting control mechanisms in place yearly report Part III.0.1, Violence and Harassment, of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. legislation, violence, and harassment Program to combat violence Analysis of the likelihood of violence Domestic abuse Duties regarding violence (e.g., provide workers with information and instruction, privacy) Program for harassment Duties regarding harassment (e.g., investigation, annual review, etc.) Information and instruction regarding harassment Quebec Act respecting labour standards, CQLR c. N-1.1 Chapter IV, Division V.2 Psychological Harassment, Sections 81.18 to 81.20 Psychological harassment prevention and complaint processing policy New Brunswick General Regulation, N.B. Reg. 91-191 Part XXII.I Violence and Harassment Risk assessment Code of practice for violence Code of practice for harassment Implementation Privacy Training Review and update Nova Scotia Violence in the Workplace Regulations, N.S. Reg. 209/2007 Violence risk assessment Prevention plan Prevention statement Information to employees Training and supervision for employees Duty to report Documentation, investigation, actions to prevent reoccurrence Debriefing Prince Edward Island Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations, EC180/87 Part 52 Violence Workplace Harassment Regulation, EC710/19 Risk assessment Informing workers Confidentiality Employer responsibilities, including a policy for harassment Investigation Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12 Part III, Sections 22 to 24.2 Risk assessment Violence prevention (procedures, policies, etc.) Instruction to workers Harassment prevention plan Training (harassment) Yukon Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (in force September 2021) Hazard assessment Policy statements and procedures – prevention Training Content of policy statements and policies and prevention procedures Investigation Domestic violence Northwest Territories Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015 Section 34 Harassment Section 35 Violence Harassment policy Violence policy (includes actions to eliminate or reduce risks, reporting by workers, procedures, training, etc.) Additional requirements for late night premises Nunavut Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-003-2016 Section 34 Harassment Section 35 Violence Harassment policy Violence policy (includes actions to eliminate or reduce risks, reporting by workers, procedures, training, etc.) Additional requirements for late night premises""" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/
