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Occupational Health & Safety

Harassment Prevention Policies

Employers are required to have a policy on harassment prevention. They must also follow their policy. This applies to federally regulated workplaces as well.

Have You Seen Your Harassment Prevention Policy?

In addition to having a Harassment Policy in place, employers are required to post a copy of the policy somewhere that it can be easily referenced by workers. It can be posted online as long as all workers have access to it.

Elements of a Harassment Prevention Policy

While harassment prevention polices can vary from workplace to workplace, all policies must meet the requirements set out in:

Definition of Harassment

The policy must include a definition of harassment. At the very least, it must include the definition used in The Saskatchewan Employment Act. The definition in the policy can go beyond that, however.

Right to a Harassment-Free Workplace

The policy must state that workers have a right to harassment-free workplaces. The employer must commit to:

  • making all reasonable efforts to prevent harassment
  • taking corrective action when there has been harassment

In federally regulated workplaces, the harassment policy must include:

  • the employer’s mission statement about preventing and protecting against harassment and violence in the workplace
  • a description of the role employers, employees, and others play in relation to harassment and violence in the workplace
  • a description of the risk factors that contribute to harassment and violence in their workplace
  • a summary of the training that will be provided regarding workplace harassment and violence

Complaint Process

The policy must include information about the complaint process, such as:

  • how to make a complaint
  • a statement that the employer will not disclose the names of the person complaining about harassment or the alleged harasser unless it is needed to investigate, take corrective action or is required by law
  • information about how results of an investigation will be communicated

In federally regulated workplaces, the harassment policy must also include information about making complaints, such as:

  • the name of the person designated to receive complaints about harassment or violence
  • a summary of the resolution process when there has been a complaint about harassment or violence
  • a description of how the employer will protect the privacy of persons involved in an incident of harassment or violence or in the process for resolving a complaint about harassment or violence

Other Rights of Workers

The policy must include information about other rights workers have, such as:

  • a worker’s right to request assistance from an Occupational Health Officer
  • a worker’s right to file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code
  • a statement that the workplace harassment policy is not intended to discourage or prevent workers from exercising any other legal rights available to them

In federally regulated workplaces, the harassment policy must include information about employees’ rights and options, including:

  • a description of other options available to employees involved in an incident of harassment or violence
  • a description of the support measures that are available to employees

Information About Occupational Health & Safety Laws

Employers must inform their employees about occupational health and safety laws, such as:

  • the legal obligations of employers, supervisors and employees
  • laws that prohibit an employer from taking action against a worker for complying with or seeking to enforce occupational health and safety laws
  • laws that deal with creating and implementing a policy on harassment prevention

In federally regulated workplaces, employers must ensure that employees, supervisors and managers are informed of their rights and obligations under the applicable laws regarding harassment and violence.

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The Shift Project is funded by the Department of Justice and delivered by the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA).

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