News
New Workplace Violence/Harassment Legislation
Workers in Ontario now have greater protection against workplace violence and harassment as a result of changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act that came into effect June 15, 2010.
Under new legislation, workplace violence is defined as using, attempting or threatening to use physical force against a worker that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker. Workplace harassment is any unwelcome comment or conduct against a worker and may include bullying, intimidating or offensive jokes or innuendos, displaying or circulating offensive pictures or materials, or offensive or intimidating phone calls.
Employers must develop and implement policies and programs, such as ongoing risk assessments and violence prevention programs to prevent physical injury from workplace violence, including domestic violence.
Employers who are aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that domestic violence may occur in the workplace must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect a worker at risk of physical injury. This new legislation was precipitated in part by the stabbing death of Lori Dupont by her doctor-boyfriend at a Windsor hospital four years ago.
For more information, visit www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/topics/workplaceviolence.php.
Increase in Police-Reported Dating Violence
The rates of police-reported dating violence among both men and women have increased, a new report from Statistics Canada says.
The study defined dating violence as violent incidents reported by police that were committed by a current boyfriend or girlfriend, an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend, or by an individual with whom the victim had an intimate but non-spousal relationship. These people were not living together.
The report found nearly 23,000 incidents of dating violence were reported to police in 2008, accounting for 28% of violent incidents perpetrated by intimate partners. That same year, dating violence represented 7% of total violent crimes in Canada.
Rates of police-reported dating violence increased steadily for both genders between 2004 and 2008, rising by 40% for women and 47% for men. But overall, women were most often the victims of dating violence, accounting for eight in 10 dating violence victims known to police in 2008. The bulk of dating violence incidents took place once the relationship had ended.
Common assault was the most frequent type of violent offence committed. Rates of dating violence for both men and women were highest for those in their 30s. About 10% of male and 1% of female dating violence victims were involved in same-sex dating relationships.
The study found criminal harassment, uttering threats and indecent or harassing phone calls were more likely to occur in dating violence incidents compared with incidents of spousal violence.
