REASSESSMENT OF EMPLOYERS ON HARASSMENT MANAGEMENT
The amendment of the Canadian law will see employers recognize domestic violence as a hazard in the workplace. The new implementation affected by the Canadian government aims at protecting employees working in various sectors including the airlines, transport, communication, and the banking sectors against harassment at the family levels. As stipulated in the amendments any employees who experience these issues will be entitled to an annual leave of 10 days with those with three months in service paid for the first five days of the leave.
According to the article, any conduct, action, or comment targeting an individual sexual nature or aimed at humiliating, harass or cause a physical injury is regarded as an offense. Thus as recorded in Bill C-65, employers must mitigate these risks through mandatory preventive training for managers, supervisors, and the employees. However, the issue that arises from the amendment is establishing the dividing line between workplace and home.
The Implementation of the Canadian Labor Code will see employers take on a new burden. The government indicated that employers will incur a cost of $840 million for effective implementation. According to the law will force the employers to establish an identification procedure for risks and violence, establishing an effective measure for prevention, receive complaints, and create a response protocol, for instance, providing mental support. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, employers will have to adjust the expense plans for their business to incorporate the new change. Though it may be additional expenditure employees’ rights must be protected especially when Canada is experiencing a harsh economic environment thus the only remedy is protecting the current personnel working in the various departments.
Workplace harassment can be a threatening behavior especially when it is directed to an individual worker. Matters of harassment have gained interest in Canada hence the government has to enact laws to ensure effective workplace management. The recent changes will throw light on the prevailing problems regarding violence since it incorporates the government, employers, and employees addressing the harassment issues. The advantage of the procedures will ensure efficiency in planning of business activities and instilling more discipline among the staff. Although most employees have experienced violence in the workplace they fear to report as a result of the consequences that they may face especially when it is related to their bosses. Thus an outline on the reporting protocols must be addressed to protect the employees from facing such ramifications.
References
Julius Melnitzer. (2019, August 28). New workplace harassment laws will be real ‘game-changer’ for employers. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from https://business.financialpost.com/legal-post/new-workplace-harassment-law-will-be-real-game-changer-for-employers