2. The Importance of Bill 168
It seems that every day, we hear about another incident of
workplace violence: the daycare shooting in Quebec and the
stabbing at a college in Texas, are just two recent examples.
Bill 168 is an amendment to the Occupational Health and Safety
Act (OHSA) which sets out the rights and duties of all those
who have a role in dealing with workplace violence and
workplace harassment.
The Bill specifically deals with the Employer’s requirement to
establish minimum standards and policies for violence and
harassment in the workplace.
Kathryn Kissinger HR Services 2013
3. The Importance of Bill 168
Every employer in Ontario is required by the Act to
prepare and review, at least annually, a policy and
program for both workplace violence and
harassment.
These policies are required regardless of the
size of the workplace or the number of
workers.
If six or more workers are regularly employed at a
workplace, these policies must be in writing and
posted in a conspicuous place in the workplace.
Kathryn Kissinger HR Services 2013
4. Violence/Harassment in the Workplace
Affects Us All
Workers may face violence and harassment in any
workplace and from any person in that workplace. The
harassing or violent person may be someone the
worker comes into contact with due to the nature of
his or her work, such as a client, customer or patient.
The harassing or violent person may also be part of
the workforce, including a co-
worker, manager, supervisor or employer. Or the
person may be someone with no formal connection to
the workplace such as a stranger or a
domestic/intimate partner who brings violence or
harassment into the workplace.
Kathryn Kissinger HR Services 2013
5. Violence/Harassment in the Workplace
Affects Us All
An ongoing pattern of harassing behaviour, or
combination of behaviours ranging from offensive
remarks to violence may escalate into threats, or
acts, of physical violence.
In some cases, a targeted worker may react violently
to prolonged harassment.
Harassment may also be a matter that falls under
the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Kathryn Kissinger HR Services 2013
6. Violence/Harassment in the Workplace
Affects Us All
In addition to being punishable under the
OHSA, the Criminal Code of Canada also
provides mechanisms to deal with workplace
matters such as violent acts, threats and harassing
behaviours such as stalking.
The police should always be contacted in
situations where workplace violence has occurred.
Kathryn Kissinger HR Services 2013
7. Violence/Harassment in the
Workplace Affects Us All
Violence in the workplace affects all workers, not
just the “targeted” worker.
Other employees may feel increased stress when
having to avoid the “bully” or deal with personal
conflicts associated with bad behaviour.
In some cases, violent acts result in innocent
people becoming involved in a conflict, often with
negative consequences.
Kathryn Kissinger HR Services 2013
