The Government of Yukon has approved a new regulation aimed at preventing violence and harassment, two serious workplace hazards. The regulation will help to foster a positive culture in the workplace as well as physical and psychological safety for Yukon workers.
The Violence and Harassment Prevention Regulation will come into effect on September 4, 2021, giving employers a full year for implementation. During that time the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board will be offering support, particularly to employers with small businesses, with a how-to guide, ready-to-use tools and training resources.
In addition to the introduction of the new regulation, the Government of Yukon has made enhancements to the existing regulations about hazard assessment to make them clearer and easier to understand.
Everyone benefits in workplaces where the culture is positive and collaborative, and where there is trust, respect, teamwork and openness. Violence and harassment are not acceptable in any workplace. By focusing on their prevention, these regulations will make a significant contribution to creating the positive and healthy workplaces we all deserve.
Minister responsible for the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board Jeanie Dendys
Every workplace has hazards. Identifying them and managing the risks they pose is the foundation of workplace health and safety. The Violence and Harassment Prevention Regulation highlights these two hazards and identifies actions that will help to control and mitigate their occurrence.
President and CEO, Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board, Kurt Dieckmann
In a public engagement in 2017, almost 70 per cent of survey respondents said they support amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to allow for the development of regulations aimed at preventing mental injuries at work.
In 2019, the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board hosted a public engagement to ask Yukon employers, workers and stakeholders for their input. It included stakeholder and public meetings, an online survey and written submissions.
The public engagement was summarized in a What We Heard report. It noted that Yukon employers, workers and stakeholders support regulation as a way to help prevent workplace violence and harassment and for clarification about the requirements for workplace hazard assessments.
Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca
Andrew Robulack
Manager, Social Marketing and Communications
867-689-2574
andrew.robulack@gov.yk.ca