Harassment, Violence, and Sexual Harassment Legislation

Ontario's Bill 168

  • It places an explicit obligation on employers to take steps to protect their employees from workplace violence and harassment, including the threat of domestic violence within the workplace. 
  • Bill 168 expanded the definitions of workplace violence (to include the threat of violence) and workplace harassment (removing the need to link a claim to a protected ground) and brought several new controversial obligations for Ontario employers.
  • Most controversial is the requirement to disclose a worker's history of violent behaviour to other employees (which may be contrary to existing privacy legislation).

What Must Employers Do To Comply?

  • Perform a risk assessment to determine risk of workplace violence, including research into similar businesses and communicate results to H&S Committee and/or employees. Re-assess annually.
  • Develop written policies on workplace violence & harassment
  • Create and communicate procedures, particularly related to: a) Reporting an incident and b) Summoning emergency assistance
  • Prevent domestic violence from occurring in the workplace
  • Disclose an individual’s history of violence where workers are likely to encounter that person in the course of their work and where there is a risk of physical injury
  • Train for employees on new legislative changes

Bill 168 Resource:

What our Customers Say...

"Clear Path went above and beyond during the implementation of our workplace violence program. Despite a tight timeline, they had no problem getting us what we needed."
Shawn Reilly, Transfreight, Kitchener, ON
"I'm glad we used a third party professional; it lent weight to the importance of the subject. Clear Path is great, they are very professional, and their friendly character puts those not used to meetings at ease."
Paul Grimwood, Pegasus Glass

How Clear Path Can Help 

  Comprehensive Risk Assessment
  • Physical audit of your workplace
  • Interviews with select employees and/or employee survey
  • Research on risks at similar workplaces
  • Risk assessment report with recommendation for action​
Update your company policies
  • Review of your current documentation, policies
  • Custom policies and programs for your organization
​  Train your employees on the changes in Bill 168
  • Supervisor only training
  • Employee training

Ontario's Bill 132

Information coming soon.