British Columbia Offers Resources to Help Employers Address Workplace Bullying

British Columbia's occupational safety and health agency has developed a toolkit to help employers comply with new workplace-bullying regulations set to take effect on Nov. 1.

The toolkit, available on WorkSafeBC's website, includes fact sheets, posters, sample training presentations, worker checklists, policy templates and a handbook on preventing and addressing workplace bullying and harassment.

"Workplace bullying and harassment is an issue of growing concern," the agency says in the handbook.

"It can take many forms, including verbal aggression, personal attacks and other intimidating or humiliating behaviors. If workplace bullying and harassment is not addressed, it can lead to lost productivity, anxiety and, occasionally, suicidal thoughts or actions."

In March, WorkSafeBC's board of directors approved three new occupational health and safety policies regarding workplace bullying and harassment. The new policies were developed to clarify the obligations of employers, supervisors and workers in preventing workplace bullying and harassment.

Among their legal obligations, British Columbia employers are required to develop a policy stating that workplace bullying and harassment will not be tolerated; take steps to prevent workplace bullying and harassment; and develop and implement a mechanism for workers to report incidents or complaints of workplace bullying and harassment.