Workplace violence

Workplace violence hazards and risks

Workplace violence—including harassment and sexual harassment—is a serious issue that can affect workplaces of all industries and sectors. Beyond immediate physical and mental harm, violence in the workplace can prevent employees from doing their jobs effectively, increase absenteeism, lead to high turnover, and lower overall morale.

All workplaces must take steps to prevent and address workplace violence. Starting with a workplace violence risk assessment, workplaces can identify activities with their highest risk for workplace violence.

Employer obligations

Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers are required to investigate and address workplace violence and take every reasonable effort to protect their workers, which can include:

• developing a workplace violence policy and reviewing it annually
• conducting risk assessments to identify potential sources of workplace violence
• implementing a workplace violence program that includes:
  • measures to control identified risks
  • procedures for reporting incidents
  • steps for investigating and addressing complaints
• disclosing information about individuals with a known history of violent behaviour if there is a potential risk to others, while respecting privacy laws
• taking every reasonable precaution to protect workers from violence and threats, including from clients, patients, students, or members of the public
• informing employees of their right to refuse unsafe work if they believe they are at risk of workplace violence

Addressing workplace violence with PSHSA

Our trained and knowledgeable experts can support workplaces in mitigating the risks of violence in their workplaces in many ways, including:

Risk assessments

Complete a risk assessment on your own using a risk assessment tool or choose to work alongside one of our experts to identify, evaluate, and analyze the impact of potential hazards through a specialized assessment.

Learn more about risk assessments

Create or update existing policies, programs, and procedures

Enhance prevention efforts, improve awareness, reduce risk, and provide clear next steps following reported incidents with clear, well-defined policies, programs, and procedures.

Learn more about policy and procedure reviews

Audit your current health and safety program

Receive an expert audit of your current health and safety program, including workplace violence, and determine your status to inform you of the next steps.

Learn more about audit services

Workplace violence in education

All school staff—teachers, education assistants, office staff, principals, vice-principals, maintenance workers, and bus drivers—are at risk of experiencing or witnessing workplace violence and aggression. Teachers and education assistants, however, report the highest incidents.

PSHSA, in collaboration with school community members, has developed resources aimed at preventing workplace violence and protecting all school workers.

Workplace violence in healthcare

Workplace violence remains a serious risk in healthcare settings, affecting both staff and patients, residents, and clients. It’s a complex issue that requires targeted prevention strategies.

PSHSA has collaborated with key healthcare community members to create a microsite with resources designed to address this challenge, reduce violence, and support healthcare employers in building effective workplace violence programs.