Office Bullying and Harassment Policy Volumn 2013 | Page 12

Purpose and scope WorkSafeBC’s vision is to keep British Columbians free from workplace injury, disease, and death. In support of this endeavour, WorkSafeBC establishes standards and guidelines for occupational health and safety practices; educates and consults with workplace stakeholders; raises public awareness; and builds partnerships with industry safety associations, unions, and other key stakeholders to improve health and safety in B.C. workplaces. WorkSafeBC also has the legislative authority to monitor compliance with occupational health and safety law and regulation; investigate serious incidents; and, in certain cases, levy financial penalties or other sanctions against employers for safety infractions. Bullying and harassment is an occupational health and safety (OHS) issue that poses a potential risk to the physical and mental health and safety of workers. This handbook is about helping employers, workers, and supervisors (also referred to as “workplace parties”) meet their OHS duties as they relate to workplace bullying and harassment. Beyond what’s included here, employers, workers, and supervisors may find other ways to comply with their legal obligations that are not mentioned in this handbook. The handbook focuses specifically on workplace bullying and harassment. It does not address bullying and harassment that is unrelated to the workplace. • Part 1: Complying with legal obligations — This provides information and advice about steps that WorkSafeBC considers reasonable for workplace parties to take to meet their legal obligations to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment. • Part 2: Additional resources on workplace bullying and harassment — This provides additional resources and information on bullying and harassment that employers, workers, and supervisors may find useful. The suggestions and tips included here are simply that — suggestions and tips. Workplace parties are not required to implement anything included in this section, but may find the suggestions helpful when dealing with workplace bullying and harassment. Toward a respectful workplace iii