Bill 168: Violence in the Workplace: Quick Facts
Did you know that Bill 168 is new legislation surrounding violence in the workplace? The bill is an amendment to the Occupational Health and Safety Act which legally obligates employers in Ontario to address issues of violence and harassment within the workplace.
Carefor is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive work environment. Violent or threatening behaviour can have devastating effects on the quality of life for our employees and our ability to provide excellent care to our clients.
Carefor recognizes there may be hazards in the workplace and has instituted a zero tolerance violence policy and has launched a workplace violence and harassment prevention program. Violent or harassing behaviour in the workplace is unacceptable from anyone. The purpose of this program is to:
- Identify potential risks and hazards in the workplace,
- Define the conduct expected of our employees, our clients, and visitors,
- Define behaviour that will be considered workplace violence and/or harassment,
- Outline the standardized response system for supporting employees if an incident or complaint does occur, and
- Provide education and training for employees.
Workplace violence may include:
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The action, attempt or threat of physically, verbally, emotionally, or sexually assaulting an employee,
Workplace harassment is:
- Unwelcome comments or actions taken against an employee, including: bullying, teasing, insulting jokes or pictures, or threatening phone calls.
Be aware that the following types of workplace violence and harassment can occur:
Type I - External
- A person who has no relationship to the workplace who commits, attempts to commit, or threatens to commit, a violent act or harassment towards a Carefor employee.
Type II - Client/Customer
- This is the most prevalent type of violence in health/community care and often involves a person with dementia, mental illness or addiction.
A Carefor client or family member committing, attempting to commit, or threatening to commit, a violent act or harassment towards a Carefor employee. The violence or harassment could also be client or family member to client or family member where an employee may inadvertently come to harm.
Remember, violence is not only physical but can be verbal or emotional.
Type III - Employee-Related
- An employee committing, attempting to commit, or threatening to commit, a violent act or harassment towards another employee. This includes supervisors, managers or partners such as suppliers or case managers.
Type IV - Domestic Violence
- Violence or harassment originating in a personal relationship (i.e. family member or spouse) that occurs in the workplace and threatens the safety of the employee and/or co-workers.
Reporting
When you report an incident of harassment or violence, your manager/supervisor then investigates and follows up on the incident. They complete an incident report and enter it into our online reporting system; where it is then reviewed by the Quality & Risk Manager and Director of Client Services to ensure appropriate follow-up has been taken. Your manager will then report back to you with the action taken. Ultimately, the Quality Assurance and Service Risk Committee of the Board of Directors reviews a report of all the incidents each quarter. These incidents do not contain any names or specifics, but give the Board an idea of the types of incidents that Carefor experiences throughout the year.
If you experience or witness an incident of workplace violence or harassment, please report it to your manager/supervisor immediately.
Reporting incidents keeps your colleagues safe and improves the working conditions for all employees. Reporting gives your managers an opportunity to address a specific incident or to resolve an ongoing situation. Carefor will communicate to front-line staff any information available regarding clients with a history of violent behaviour. Your ongoing input is essential to keeping this information complete and up to date.
If you feel unsafe in a situation or you are at risk of injury, leave the premises and immediately notify your supervisor. If your supervisor is unavailable, speak to any supervisor or manager and they will advise you.
Are you unsure about the risk your client or situation poses? Have you had a confusing or uncomfortable interaction with another employee? Do you experience domestic abuse in your own life or suspect it in a colleague's life which may pose a risk to employees? Is there someone in your workplace who you do not recognize or does not seem to have any business with Carefor? Call your supervisor to discuss the issues. If you feel uncomfortable discussing this with your supervisor you can speak with either the director or human resources manager.
Carefor is committed to keeping you safe while at work; all incidents will be investigated and dealt with appropriately.
The Ottawa program policy is posted at all sites. If you would like, your supervisor will provide you with a hard copy.
