What is workplace violence and harassment?
Workplace violence is defined as

• the exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker,
• an attempt to exercise physical force against a worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker, or
• a statement or behaviour that it is reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker

Workplace harassment is defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act as “engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker, in a workplace, that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.”

What the law says
The OHSA protects workers by setting specific duties and requirements for provincially regulated employers (Section 32.0.1 to 32.0.7). For example, such employers must assess the risks of workplace violence in their particular workplaces and develop ways to control the risks. They must also have a policy to prevent workplace violence and harassment and programs that implement the policy. The OHSA describes these and other requirements in detail.

How workplace violence or harassment can affect your business
The threat of workplace violence or harassment poisons the work environment. It sabotages productivity and undermines a company’s culture. It hurts a business financially because of the costs of violence-related injuries, government fines, disrupted work and decreased productivity. It affects the employer’s relationship with its employees and it can damage the company’s reputation with clients as well as its employee retention and recruitment efforts.

What can you do?

• Prepare policis on preventing workplace violence and harassment.
• Develop and maintain programs to implement the policies
• Assess the risks of workplace violence based on the nature of the workplace and type of work.
• Develop measures and procedures to control the risks
• If you’re aware of the potential for domestic violence, take reasonable precautions to protect workers who are at risk of physical injury
• Alert certain workers to the risk of workplace violence from persons with a history of violent behaviour