A 2018 Statistics Canada
report confirmed Canadian workers experience high rates of workplace harassment and violence, hazards made worse by the current pandemic.
Around the world, health care workers have been subject to such abuse and violence during the COVID-19 pandemic the World Health Organization was compelled to issue a
statement. Recent Canadian research suggests that much of this abuse is rooted in the
stigmatization of health care workers.
Amid pandemic shutdowns
domestic violence in Canada has increased and violence against women and girls has risen so alarmingly the United Nations has deemed it
the shadow pandemic.
Preventing violence. Meeting employer obligations.
To help address the high incidence of workplace violence and harassment Ontario employers have
legal obligations under the
Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) to
develop policies and programs on both. Unfortunately, unlike the violence program requirements,
the Act has no specific requirement for the prevention of harassment—an omission many health and safety advocates say must be amended. Regardless, employers must
provide all workers with information and instruction on the content of the workplace harassment and violence policies and programs.
Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC) offers
Workplace Violence and Harassment training to help workplace parties address this wide-spread hazard and comply with legal requirements. Classroom learning activities for this three-hour training program will cover:
- definitions of workplace violence and harassment
- workplace risk factors associated with workplace violence and harassment
- requirements for developing and posting written policies and programs
- conducting a workplace violence risk assessment
- tools to effectively identify, assess and control workplace violence hazards
- requirements for worker training on these policies and programs
- employers’ duties with respect to domestic violence in the workplace.
Register today!
Workplace Violence and Harassment training is now available for booking online through our virtual classroom.
More dates will be added with demand. Be sure to check back.
WHSC virtual classroom. Learning and safety assured.
The COVID-19 crisis presented an unprecedented challenge in terms of providing access to the WHSC’s essential and
mandatory training programs. WHSC quickly
retooled our delivery model in a way we could still ensure the integrity of our training and
safety of participants and instructors. This we achieved with our WHSC
virtual classroom training.
For virtual training, all that is required by the participant is a high-speed internet connection and a computer with a functioning camera and audio. When registering
be sure to supply the participant’s home address, as resource materials critical to successful participation will be shipped to this address.
Be sure to check out our
complete schedule of virtual classroom training, including Certification Part I, Part I and Refresher training. Properly trained, certified joint health and safety committee members can play a critical role in the pursuit of healthier, safer workplaces whether it be preventing workplace violence and harassment or controlling COVID-19 exposures. For this reason we have offered
JHSC Certification training in safe, virtual classrooms throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so this fall and winter.
Beyond scheduled classes, and where participant numbers warrant, we can also work with you to coordinate almost any of
our training courses in a virtual classroom for all workers, workplace representatives and supervisors.
Need more information still?
Call a
WHSC training services representative in your area.
Email:
contactus@whsc.on.ca
Visit:
www.whsc.on.ca
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Additional related resources:
WHSC workplace violence and harassment resources
WHSC Mental Health at Work Training
Workplace violence solutions for schools central to recent ETFO symposium
Domestic Violence at Work Resource Centre
COVID-19-Resources