Can a worker be fired or disciplined for participating in workplace health and safety decision making?
Workers’ participation in workplace health and safety decision making could be considered risky. A worker might want to voice an opinion that goes against the workplace’s usual ways. But it’s illegal in New Brunswick for an employer to discipline or fire a worker for her or his participation in a health and safety committee, or participation as a worker health and safety representative. A worker who suspects that she or he has been disciplined or dismissed for participating in workplace health and safety decision making can file a complaint with the province’s Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. For the phone numbers in the various regions of New Brunswick, click here. A unionized worker, instead, can have the matter dealt with by arbitration under the collective agreement.
