Bullying and Harassment falls under Workplace Conduct in the OHS regulations.
A worker is bullied and harassed when someone takes an action that he or she knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause that worker be humiliated or intimidated. When an employer or supervisor takes reasonable action to manage and direct workers, it is not bullying and harassment.
Examples of behaviour or comments that might constitute bullying and harassment include:
- verbal aggression or insults
- calling someone derogatory names
- harmful hazing or initiation practices
- vandalizing personal belongings
- spreading malicious rumours.
Reporting Bullying and Harassment
- If you are a worker and you have witnessed or experienced bullying and harassment in your workplace, you must report it to your employer.
- If your employer has not taken reasonable steps to address the incident, you can call the Prevention Information Line to contact an officer to discuss the incident. If the matter is still not resolved after.
- If your employer does not have bullying and harassment policies and procedures or has not taken reasonable steps to address the incident, contact the Prevention Information Line at 604-276-3100 (1-888-621-7233 toll free) and speak with a prevention officer.
After Reporting the Incident
After reporting the incident to your employer and speaking with a prevention officer, you may submit a Bullying and Harassment Questionnaire, which a prevention officer will then review to determine whether or not to make further inquiries.