Managing the Risks of Workplace Violence and Harassment

The incidence of workplace violence has grown steadily in recent decades, as has awareness and understanding of the issue. The scope of what constitutes workplace violence has been broadened beyond extreme physical acts to include psychologically harmful behaviours. Legislative changes have broadened the responsibility of employers to take pre-emptive actions to curb violence and harassment risk.

In recognition of this broader scope and of recent legislative changes, The Conference Board of Canada’s Council on Emergency Management and the Council of Industrial Relations Executives held meetings dedicated to the issue of workplace violence. Managing the Risks of Workplace Violence and Harassment identifies the essential information and key messages that emerged as a result of the presentations, facilitated discussions, and informal exchanges of best practices that occurred at the two meetings. The briefing identifies six key actions that organizations should take to reduce their risk of workplace violence and harassment.