Ontario businesses should pay close attention to the workplace policies and postings they must maintain, the training they must deliver, and the safety committees they must organize. Below, we have provided an overview of some of the most common requirements applicable to Ontario employers. Stay tuned for future updates covering additional provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.
A Required Opportunity
Employers should view these requirements as more than a “check the box” obligation. Workplace policies and training are key opportunities to communicate with employees on expectations of behaviour at the workplace and, if prepared with care, can function (among other things) as a reputational risk control. For example, a compliant workplace harassment policy will direct employees who have experienced or witnessed inappropriate conduct by a colleague on how to report their concerns, assure them their employer will take the allegations seriously and investigate, and confirm to the employee that they will not face retaliation for speaking up. When an employee turns to the workplace harassment policy, it is essential that the employer does not miss the opportunity to provide them with effective (and legally required) guidance.
Further, these policies serve as an instruction manual on how to respond to day-to-day incidents at the workplace in compliance with Ontario law and organizational procedures. Legal exposure is not limited to failing to adopt...
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