When are employers required to have a harassment and violence policy or program?
All jurisdictions specify elements required in harassment and violence prevention policies and programs. While there are variations between jurisdictions, there are many common elements such as:
Please refer to the following OSH Answers documents for information:
The following OSH Answer documents on Working Alone also offer more information:
- context Defining violence and harassment. Some definitions include bullying formally
- context Conducting a workplace assessment (a hazard identification and risk assessment) specific to harassment or violence
- context Developing and implement preventative measures
- context Developing a policy and program, implement the program, and corresponding procedures for reporting of an incident
- context Developing a reporting and resolution process, including how to report an incident or occurrence
- context Providing employee instruction, education, or training
- context Determining procedures to ensure confidentiality and privacy
- context Listing supports that are available (internally, externally)
- context Requiring record keeping
- context Using continual review and improvement processes to update the policy and programs
- context Reporting to the jurisdiction, as necessary
- context Including additional requirements for situations such as family (domestic) violence, or working late night hours in retail, gas stations, convenience stores, etc.
- context Bullying in the Workplace
- context Internet Harassment or Cyberbullying
- context Violence and Harassment in the Workplace
- context Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Family (Domestic) Violence
- context Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Legislation
- context Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Dealing with Negative Interactions
- context Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Parking Lot Safety
- context Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Warning Signs
- context Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Working Late
- context Working Alone – General
- context Working Alone – Handling Money
- context Working Alone – Off-site
- context Working Alone – Working With Patients
What are the sources of legislation regarding harassment and violence?
Below is a table for guidance purposes that lists legislation and a general summary of elements of a harassment or violence prevention policy and program.
NOTE that other requirements may be listed in other sections, regulations, Codes, or Acts that are not listed in this table. For more details, consult the legislation directly.
Always consult the legislation that applies in your situation, and with your jurisdiction for complete information.
Saskatchewan Employment Act, S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1
Section 3-21, Duty re policy statement on violence and prevention plan
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, R.R.S., c. O-1, r. 1
Section 3-25, Harassment
Section 3-26, Violence
Section 3-27, Safety measures for retail premises
Act respecting labour standards, CQLR c. N-1.1
Chapter IV, Division V.2 Psychological Harassment
Chapter V, Division II.1 Recourse Against Psychological Harassment
- context Work place assessment
- context Work place policy
- context Training
- context Response and resolution process, including investigation
- context Program review
- context Annual report
- context Risk assessment
- context Procedures and policies
- context Instruction of workers
- context Additional requirements for late night retail workplaces
- context Violence prevention plan, policy, and procedures
- context Harassment prevention plan, policy and procedures
- context Response and investigation
- context Includes domestic violence
- context Program review
- context Training
- context Additional requirements for workplaces such as gas stations, other retail fuelling outlets and convenience stores
- context Violence policy statement and violence prevention plan at prescribed workplaces
- context Harassment prevention policy (e.g., reporting, privacy, procedures, etc.)
- context Implementation of policies
- context Additional requirements for late night retail premises
- context Harassment prevention policy
- context Workplace assessment for violence
- context Violence prevention policy
- context Investigation and implementation of control measures
- context Annual report
- context Violence and harassment prevention policies
- context Violence prevention program
- context Assessment of risks of violence
- context Domestic violence
- context Duties regarding violence (e.g., provide workers with information and instruction, privacy)
- context Harassment prevention program
- context Duties regarding harassment (e.g., investigation, annual review, etc.)
- context Information and instruction regarding harassment
- context Psychological harassment prevention and complaint processing policy
- context Filing a psychological harassment complaint with the Commission, and the Commission’s inquiry
- context Assess risk of violence
- context Code of practice for violence
- context Code of practice for harassment
- context Implementation
- context Privacy
- context Training
- context Review and update
- context Violence risk assessment
- context Prevention plan
- context Prevention statement
- context Provide information to employees
- context Training and supervision for employees
- context Duty to report violence incidents
- context Documentation, investigation, actions to prevent reoccurrence
- context Debriefing individuals involved
- context Risk assessment
- context Informing workers
- context Confidentiality
- context Policies, programs, and work environment arrangements to eliminate or minimize risk of violence
- context Policy to prevent and investigate harassment
- context Investigation of incidents
- context Risk assessment
- context Procedures, programs, and work environment arrangements to eliminate or minimize risk of violence
- context Family violence
- context Instruction to workers
- context Harassment prevention plan
- context Training (harassment prevention)
- context Hazard assessment
- context Policy statements and procedures for preventing violence and harassment
- context Worker training
- context Incident investigation
- context Domestic violence
- context Harassment prevention policy
- context Violence prevention policy
- context Identify and eliminate or reduce risks
- context Procedure for receiving and responding to harassment or violence complaints
- context Training for preventing and responding to potentially violent situations
- context Additional requirements for late night premises
- context Harassment prevention policy
- context Violence prevention policy
- context Identify and eliminate or reduce risks
- context Procedure for receiving and responding to harassment or violence complaints
- context Training for preventing and responding to potentially violent situations
- context Additional requirements for late night premises