Role of Employers

• Employers are required, as far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their workers.
• Employers are required, as far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that workers, volunteers, and independent contractors are not exposed to harassment in the workplace.
• Employers are required, as far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that the activities of workers do not negatively affect the health, safety, or welfare of other workers, the employer or self-employed people in the workplace.
• Employers are required to have and follow a written Harassment Prevention Policy.
• Employers are required to ensure that an investigation is conducted into any incidents of workplace harassment.
• Employers are required to prevent the alleged harasser, or others, from taking action against a worker because they made a complaint.
• Employers themselves are also required to not take any action against a worker because they made a complaint.

It is important to remember that workplace harassment includes harassment by more than just co-workers or employers – customers, clients, patients, contractors and others could be responsible for workplace harassment. Employers may have limited ability to investigate the conduct of third parties or to control inappropriate behaviour.

However, employers are required to take reasonable steps to prevent their workers from being harassed, regardless of who is responsible for the harassment. Steps an employer can take include posting an anti-harassment policy where it can be seen by third parties. They can also authorize workers to refuse service and ask the harasser to leave the workplace.

Just like employers, supervisors have responsibilities regarding workplace harassment.

• Supervisors are responsible, as far as is reasonably practicable, for ensuring the health and safety of workers under their direct supervision and direction.
• Supervisors must ensure that workers under their supervision comply with health and safety standards.
• Supervisors are also required, to the extent that is reasonably practicable, to ensure that workers, volunteers and independent contractors under their direct supervision and direction are not exposed to harassment in the workplace.