British Columbia’s mandates: Workers Compensation Act, s. 21 WorkSafeBC Policy Item P2-21-2 (Workplace Bullying and Harassment)
What are British Columbia’s bullying and harassment training requirements?
British Columbia’s law requires that employers provide training on preventing bullying and harassment (which may include sexual harassment training) to their workers, prior to the start of their employment. The law also requires an annual review of their workplace bullying and harassment policy, and if any changes are made to that policy employers must retrain their workforce.
What should bullying and harassment training in British Columbia cover?
The law requires, among other things, that the bullying and harassment training teaches workers how to recognize the potential for bullying and harassment, how to respond when they do encounter it, and how to file a report. Additionally, employers are required to train on how they will handle reported incidents of bullying and harassment.
While British Columbia’s training mandate focuses on bullying and harassment in general, many employers in the province include sexual harassment training as part of their bullying and harassment training programs. Sexual harassment training in Canada typically covers the definition of sexual harassment as a form of discrimination based on long-standing Supreme Court of Canada precedent.
Who does this apply to?
This law applies to any organization that engages in business in British Columbia or hires workers or contractors that work in British Columbia. A worker is defined to include anyone in a paid or unpaid position, including apprentices and volunteers.
What does this mean for you?
Considering the expansive nature of these laws, your business will likely need to take a number of steps to meet the training requirements. As a first step, schedule and deliver workplace bullying and harassment (including sexual harassment) training to your existing workforce and make a plan to train all new hires in British Columbia.
Want to learn more about the mandates across North America?
The EVERFI team of dedicated in-house attorneys wants you to have a clear understanding of which states and provinces require harassment training. Explore our interactive guide to sexual harassment prevention training requirements.