New Legislation To Tackle Workplace Violence

Violence and harassment have no place in the workplace.  That's the message Ontario is sending by introducing legislative amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act that would, if passed, help protect workers from workplace violence and harassment.

The proposed legislation would, if passed:

• Require employers to develop a framework that would include policies and programs to help prevent workplace violence and harassment

• Require employers to take reasonable precautions to protect an employee from domestic violence in the workplace

• Allow workers to remove themselves from harmful situations if they have reason to believe that they are at risk of imminent danger due to workplace violence

The government is also launching specific measures to tackle workplace violence in the health sector.  Two newly appointed Healthy Work Environments Champions will work to build a culture of workplace safety in health care settings across the province.  The Champions are:

• Rob Devitt, President and CEO of Toronto East General Hospital,

• Dr. Heather Laschinger, Distinguished University Professor and Associate Director Nursing Research at The University of Western Ontario, School of Nursing.