Harassment-Free Workplace Policy Now in Effect for Provincial Government Employees

  • Executive Council

June 1, 2018

The Provincial Government’s newly strengthened and modernized Harassment-Free Workplace Policy for core government employees is now in effect. This policy, which was first announced in February 2018, is the culmination of several years of work, and is one of the most progressive workplace harassment policies in Canada.

The new policy builds on all 15 of the recommendations from the Rubin Thomlinson report that was commissioned to review government’s workplace and respectful workplace programs. It also incorporates best practices from other jurisdictions, leading to a best-in-class policy that will ensure all employees can be safe and respected at work.

Key elements of the policy are:

  • Mandatory training focused on prevention for all employees under the policy.
  • A 90-day timeline for all harassment investigations under the policy.
  • A “single point-of-access” for complaints to be made through the Harassment-Free Workplace Manager. This will also ensure that all complaints are addressed in a consistent manner.
  • Numerous communication checkpoints have been established for both complainants and respondents to ensure that all parties receive regular updates as the complaint progresses through to resolution.
  • The definition of sexual harassment under the policy has been updated to include gender-based harassment.
  • A number of options are available to empower employees to resolve complaints, both informally or through an investigation.

Quotes
“Society is changing, and with our new Harassment-Free Workplace Policy our province is at the forefront of that change. This policy is a best-in-class approach to harassment in the workplace, and is the culmination of multiple years of work by our government. I would encourage all employers in this province to look at their own workplace policies to ensure that all workers in this province are afforded the same level of support.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our public service is our government’s greatest resource, and it is essential that we support them as they do important work on behalf of the people of this province. With this Harassment Free Workplace Policy, government is meeting its obligation to ensure that all employees can feel safe and respected in the workplace.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board
Minister Responsible for the Human Resource Secretariat

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Learn more
Harassment Free Workplace Policy Highlights

Harassment Free Workplace Policy

2018 06 01 9:55 am