Violence & Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Ontario)

Designed for all Ontario workers. Defines and differentiates violence and harassment, how to recognize each and what to do in the event of an occurrence.

Workplace harassment, a form of interpersonal aggression, is not a new phenomenon. Rather, it is an existing issue with a new label that has been getting increased attention from researchers, employers, unions and health and safety professionals. It is defined as “repeated and persistent negative acts towards one or more individual(s), which involve a perceived power imbalance and create a hostile work environment” (Salin 2003). There is growing evidence that exposure to harassment in the workplace has serious detrimental outcomes, not only for the victim but also for the organization, workplace colleagues and family members of the victims.

Workplace violence and harassment training – Virtual Training

Workplace Violence and Harassment Training course is based on the collective requirements of many Canadian jurisdictions.

You should be aware that different jurisdictions have different legislative requirements, however this course goes beyond the legislative requirements of some jurisdictions.

The Workplace Violence and Harassment training duration is approximately 60 minutes.

Session 1

Session 1 deals with What is Workplace Violence?  It is more than a Physical Assault. It can be anything from being abused, threatened, intimidated or assaulted.

This Introduction section covers some examples of “’ Workplace Violence and Harassment training.”

Session 3

Session 3 covers Who is at Risk. The many factors that can contribute to a workplace’s risk of violence are reviewed as well as who are the perpetrators of workplace violence and who is of greatest risk.

Session 5

Session 5 covers Defusing Workplace Violence will study just what should you do if you are being violated or about to be violated. Prevention of violence in the workplace training and practices are discussed.

Session 2

Session 2 covers Work Refusal. The Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario was amended with respect to the work refusal provision.

“Workers permitted to refuse work if they have a reason to believe that the situation is unsafe to either yourself or your co-workers with respect to workplace violence and/or harassment.”

Discussed will be who can and cannot refuse to work.

Session 4

Session 4 covers Recognizing Warning Signs. Experts claim that workplace violence rarely strikes without warning, but according to a new study on the issue, most of the workforce does not recognize those potential warning signs. Prevention of violence in the workplace training can go see these warning signs.

Summary

It is not enough to have an anti-violence policy on the wall and an employee manual on the shelf that purports to address the problem.

There is a woeful lack of violence prevention awareness where it counts the most, among first-line supervisors.

Wrap Up

To all the first-line supervisors out there, you are the eyes and ears of your organization.

You see every person within your area of responsibility every single day and are more likely than anyone else to observe a potentially violent situation in its earliest stages.

Prevention of Violence in the workplace is key.