What is the governing legislation with respect to Workplace Violence?
• Occupational Health and Safety Act: The Act does not specifically deal with violence, but it prescribes the responsibilities of workplace parties for health and safety in general. • Criminal Code of Canada: Section 265 of the Code defines assault and gives workers the right to call police to investigate and lay charges. • Ontario Human Rights Code: The “prohibited grounds of discrimination” clause makes it unlawful for employers to treat workers differently for certain “prohibited” reasons including race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family status, and record of offences. • Workplace Safety and Insurance Act: The WSIA classifies an injury resulting from an act of violence as it would any other injury. It gives workers the right to file a claim for such an injury. • Compensation for Victims of Crime Act: A person injured as a result of a crime can claim compensation if he/she has reque
