Workplace Violence & Dangerous Weapons/Firearms Policy
Policy on Workplace Violence
As part of our obligation to provide employees with a healthy and safe work environment, the Halifax Employers Association (H.E.A.) and its employer members are committed to making every reasonable effort to ensure that no employee is subject to violence in their place or places of work.
Definition
Workplace violence constitutes any action, conduct, threat or gesture of a person towards an employee in their work place that can reasonably be expected to cause harm, injury or illness to that employee.
Examples of this include but are not limited to:
· threatening, angry behaviour – shaking fists, throwing objects, destroying property and arson.
· physical attack – hitting, shoving, pushing or kicking a person or persons.
· threats and bullying – gestures, language and written material that communicate an intent to harm or intimidate another person or persons.
· verbal abuse – swearing, insults, rumours and condescending language.
· sexual and other types of harassment* – unwelcome and unwanted behaviours that demean, embarrass, humiliate, alarm and annoy another person or persons.
Workplace violence is not limited to incidents that occur at work. It can also occur away from work but be related to work e.g. a threatening telephone call made to your home by a supervisor or co-worker.
Our Objectives
a) to provide a safe, healthy and violence-free workplace;
b) to dictate sufficient attention, resources and time to address factors that contribute to work place violence including, but not limited to bullying, teasing, and abusive and other aggressive behaviour and to prevent and protect against it;
c) to communicate to employees information in its possession about factors contributing to work place violence; and
d) to assist employees who have been exposed to work place violence.
If an employer or the H.E.A become aware of work place violence or alleged work place violence, the employer or the H.E.A. will investigate and shall try to resolve the matter with the employee as soon as possible.
Please be advised that:
Dangerous weapons or firearms are not allowed on the Halifax Waterfront. Individuals who possess weapons on the premises will be removed from the work site and if necessary, the police will be informed.
Acts of workplace violence by management, co-workers, Union officials or a service provider is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, will be taken against any persons who display violent behaviours as outlined in this policy.
The H.E.A. strongly encourages all acts of violence be reported in confidence to the Halifax Employers Association at 422-4471 and brought to the attention of the appropriate company manager. A formal written complaint maybe filed with the H.E.A. using the anti-Harassment complaint form.
You have a right to discuss a complaint with a representative of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
In the event an erroneous complaint is filed, without basis, with malicious intent. The individual filing the complaint will be subject to discipline up to and including discharge.
This policy is effective immediately
Please also refer to the H.E.A. Anti-Harassment Policy & Procedure
The Halifax Employers Association for and on behalf of:
Cerescorp Company,
Furncan Marine Ltd
- Empire Stevedoring (Maritimes) Co.
Halifax Offshore Terminal Services Limited,
Halterm Limited,
Logistec Stevedoring (Atlantic) Inc.,
Scotia Terminals Limited
Issued July 15, 2009
Re-Issued January 2010
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