Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

Workplace harassment can undermine a person, dignity. It can prevent workers from doing their job effectively. Workplace harassment, left unchecked, has the potential to escalate in to violent behavior. All workers are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace.

Course Overview

Workplace harassment can undermine a person, dignity. It can prevent workers from doing their job effectively. Workplace harassment, left unchecked, has the potential to escalate in to violent behavior. All workers are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace.

The occupational health and safety act sets out the requirements for violence and harassment policies in the workplace. The legislation through Bill 168, effective 2010 and further refined with Bill 132 in 2016, sets out the steps that the employer must take to ensure a safe and equal workplace.

Course Topics

  • Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace
  • Violence Prevention
  • What do if you or a Co-Worker is Sexually Harassed

  • Violence and Harassment in the Workplace covers the following topics:


    Section 1

  • Introduction
  • Definition of Violence
  • Definition of Harassment
  • Definition of Sexual Harassment
  • Definition of Bullying
  • The Occupational Health and Safety Act

  • Section 2

  • Recognizing the Behaviors
  • Less Obvious Behaviors
  • Sexual Harassment Behaviors
  • Effects of Harassment and Violence on the Individual
  • Physiological Symptoms
  • Behavioral Symptoms

  • Section 3

  • Effects of Harassment and Violence on the Organization
  • Results of Ignoring the Problem
  • Other Negative Effects
  • Developing Policies and Procedures
  • Developing Policies for Harassment and Violence
  • Harassment Policy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Threat Assessment
  • Types of Threats
  • Stages of Violence
  • Communications

  • Section 4

  • Training
  • Monitoring
  • Third Parties
  • Complaint Process
  • Confidentiality
  • Designated Contact Person
  • Investigation
  • Informal Procedure
  • Formal Procedure
  • Interviewing the Complainant
  • Interviewing the Alleged Harasser

  • Section 5

  • Actions Following Investigation
  • Conflicting Evidence
  • Protection Against Intimidation
  • False or Malicious Complaints
  • Prevention
  • Conclusion