Ontario employers must update their Workplace Violence and Harassment Policies by September 8, 2016.
Bill 132, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, will come into effect in September. The legislation amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act and provides additional protection against sexual harassment at work.
Employees have protections from sexual harassment under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
In summary, employers need to implement workplace sexual harassment prevention legislation:
- Always investigate complaints of sexual harassment or other types of harassment promptly.
- Review and update the Workplace Harassment Policy.
- Review and develop a written program to implement the Workplace Harassment Policy, in consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative, if any.
- Train workers, managers and supervisors.
- Review and update Policy and Program annually.
For more details on the changes implemented by Bill 132 refer to the Fusion Blog on Workplace Sexual Harassment Prevention and Bill 132.
