Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act received royal assent on March 8, 2016 and will come into force in September 2016. It makes several important amendments to the provisions dealing with workplace harassment in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act).
Workplace sexual harassment is now explicitly included in the definition of workplace harassment and is a defined term under the Act. The amendments also clarify that a reasonable action taken by an employer or supervisor in managing employees does not constitute harassment. A reasonable action is not defined under the Act, and will need to be determined on a case by case basis. Continue reading “Employers: update your Workplace Harassment policy. Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act come into force September 2016.”