Harassment and violence prevention in federal workplaces: new resources available

30905 News Local 30905 - Edmonton

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Happy New Year  all,

In the information below – you can be found important information, tools, resources and training opportunities for the new federal violence prevention regulations, which are now in effect. Should you have any questions about the new changes please do not hesitate to contact your local, your component or myself at any of the coordinates below. The prairie region will also be hosting a webinar in the near future where we will outline some of these new provisions.

Stay safe,

Clint Wirth

Regional Representative, Health and Safety- Prairie Region

Public Service Alliance of Canada

460-175 Hargrave St.

Winnipeg, MB

R3C 3R8

phone (204)815-5718

fax (204)943-0652

wirthc@psac.com

Proud member of the Canadian Union of Labour Employees

I would like to acknowledge I live and work in Treaty 1 territory and that the land is the traditional territory of the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

 

I am dedicated to ensuring that the spirit of Reconciliation and Treaty 1 is honoured and respected. I respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, I acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and I dedicate myself to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

 

 

 

Good afternoon,

The Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations (the Regulations), published in the Canada Gazette, Part II in June 2020, will come into force on January 1, 2021. The Regulations highlight the importance of harassment and violence prevention and make it easier for employers and employees in federally regulated workplaces to identify and understand their rights and duties.

 

As of January 1, 2021, employers must be ready to receive a notice of occurrence. Concurrently, the Labour Program will be ready to receive a complaint when the process outlined in the Regulations is not followed.

The Labour Program will continue education and awareness activities while employers continue to work to be in compliance:

 

  • Have a workplace harassment and violence prevention policy jointly developed with the policy committee, the workplace committee, or the health and safety representative;
  • Assess the risk of workplace harassment and violence;
  • Respond within seven days when an incident of harassment or violence is reported;
  • Keep records on every incident of harassment and violence in the workplace and report annually to the Labour Program; and
  • Implement corrective measures in response to the investigation report of an investigator to prevent future occurrences of harassment and violence.

Employers have the following time periods to train their employees:

  • By April 1, 2021, new employees must be trained
  • By January 1, 2022, current employees must be trained, and employers have to take training themselves.

Tools and resources

The Government of Canada has developed new tools and resources in collaboration with stakeholders to help workplaces properly implement the Regulations and to raise awareness amongst employees:

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) offers courses on harassment and violence prevention, and the Canada School of Public Service provides training for the federal public service.

The Government is also working closely with stakeholders to co-develop a list of qualified and independent investigators as a resource for those workplaces who have not yet developed their own jointly developed list. Once complete, this list will be managed by the CCOHS.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government recognizes that many employers are experiencing unforeseen disruptions in their workplace. We will continue to support workplaces that need help preparing for the coming into force.

 

If you have questions or need support preparing for the coming into force, I invite you to:

Please share this message with your members, partners, colleagues, family and friends to help us spread the word.

Yours sincerely,

Minister of Labour, Filomena Tassi