Ontario passes workplace violence and harassment legislation

Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) 2009, received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009 and will come into force in June 2010.

Among other things, the legislation defines what constitutes harassment and/or violence in the workplace, and requires employers to:

  • prepare policies relating to workplace violence and harassment,
  • implement programs backing up the violence and harassment policies, and
  • conduct risk assessments and report findings to their joint health and safety committees.

The text of the bill is available by clicking here.

Workplace will provide further commentary and analysis on what the requirements mean to employers later this month.