What is workplace violence?

Definition

The definition of workplace violence can be found in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Workplace violence means:

• The exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker;

• An attempt to exercise physical force against a worker in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker;

• A statement or behaviour that a worker could reasonably interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker.

 Examples of workplace violence

There are a number of circumstances that may amount to workplace violence. Below is a non-exhaustive list of some examples:

• Verbal threats (in person, voicemail, et cetera) to cause harm or attack an employee;

• Using a weapon or bringing a weapon to work;

• Hitting or attempting to hit an employee;

• Written threats (via document, social media or email, et cetera);

• Throwing or kicking object(s) at an employee;

• Sexual and domestic violence;

• Using a vehicle or equipment to run down or chase after an employee.

In some instances, acts of workplace violence may be concurrently captured by the Criminal Code of Canada. It is important to contact local police services if an incident of a serious nature arises. An employer must have measures in place to prevent and address issues of violence in the workplace.