In April the Ontario government introduced a bill to address violence and harassment in the workplace by requiring employers to prepare a policy with respect to workplace violence and harassment. Bill 168,* Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act, has been carried through second reading, and is now before the Standing Committee prior to third reading. It is expected to receive Royal Assent in 2010.

While some may cry foul against the anticipated burden of further statutory compliance, Toronto-based labour and employment lawyer Glenn Wheeler^ believes that the benefits of the proposed requirement can easily outweigh the compliance costs.

Under the proposed law, employers must make themselves of the requirement, and it is therefore advisable to have policies in place before incidents arise. Wheeler suggests that the requirement is not onerous.

“The policy can be as simple as a poster at the workplace stating that harassment and violence at work will not be tolerated and that there are venues available for victims to voice their grief,” says Wheeler. “For example, where there is low-level bullying among co-workers in the office, the victim should know where to take their concerns to, and what can be expected as a result of the complaint.”

*1st Sess., 39th Parl. Ontario, 2009

^To learn more about Mr. Wheeler’s practice, please visit his website and blog at http://www.glennwheeler.ca