On April 20, 2009 the Ontario Government introduced Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace).

What does this mean for me as an employer?

Under the proposed amendments, employers will be required to:

• create written workplace violence & harassment policies;
• train employees on these policies;
• undertake risk assessments to determine prevalence of workplace violence or harassment;
• disclose results of risk assessments and incidents of workplace violence and harassment to the health and safety committee or designate;
• put workplace violence and harassment reporting procedures in place;
• discipline employees for not following policies or for committing workplace violence or harassment;
• offer a confidential employee assistance program to allow employees subject to workplace violence or harassment, or those with personal problems, to seek help;
• keep detailed records of workplace violence or harassment, investigation or work refusal.

How can Homewood EAP help me meet these goals?

By providing Leadership wellness sessions to Managers/Supervisors:

• Violence in the Workplace
• Respectful Workplace Conduct
• Preventing Sexual Harassment

By providing confidential counselling to employees and family members.

• Post information about the Employee Assistance Program in a prominent place and encourage employees to access the EAP for workplace or personal issues.

Call Homewood EAP 1-800-265-8310 or your Account Manager for more details.