Bill 168 – An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to violence and harassment in the workplace received first reading in the Ontario legislature on April 20, 2009. The Bill would require employers to (amongst other things) prepare and implement policies concerning workplace violence and workplace harassment.
Osler has been assisting our healthcare clients in implementing "violence and harassment in the workplace" policies that reflect current leading practices including: National Policy 58-201; the Dupont/Daniel coroner's recommendations; the Ontario Nurses' Association's "Violence in the Workplace: A Guide for ONA Members;" the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario "Preventing and Managing Violence in the Workplace;" and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's "Guidebook for Managing Disruptive Physician Behaviour."
Our precedents include comprehensive board-sponsored codes of conduct and ethics; codes of conduct for employees, privileged staff, patients and visitors; a whistleblower policy and suggested recommended amendments to the hospital's administrative and medical staff by-laws. We have also developed board and medical advisory committee educational materials that can be used to educate and orient board and medical advisory committee members concerning the above.
Michael Watts is a partner in the firm's Toronto office and Co-Chair of the firm's National Health Care Group.
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