Human Resources 101

Canada has a high incidence of violence in the workplace. A 1998 study by the International Labour Organization reported:

• Canada ranks 4th out of 32 countries for the number of women assaulted in the workplace
• Canada ranks 5th for the number of men assaulted in the workplace
• Canadian women report the 4th highest incidence of sexual harassment in the workplace

Several provinces, including Alberta, now have legislation in place, which obliges employers to manage and minimize potential workplace violence as part of its safety practices.

The attached documents can help you understand the employer’s obligations in this area of occupational health and safety. The first document, “Preventing Violence and Harassment at the Workplace,” is published by the Alberta Worker’s Compensation Board and deals specifically with the Alberta legislation. The second document, “Violence in the Workplace Prevention Guide,” is prepared by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Take some time to review these handbooks to learn what you can do to identify, prevent and respond to violence in the workplace.

• File Attachment: Preventing Violence and Harassment at the Workplace (PDF 260 KB)
• File Attachment: Violence in the Workplace Prevention Guide