Office Bullying and Harassment Policy Volume Nov 2013 | Page 15

Introduction
Workplace bullying and harassment is an issue of growing concern. It can take many forms, including
verbal aggression, personal attacks, and other intimidating or humiliating behaviours. If workplace
bullying and harassment is not addressed, it can lead to lost productivity, anxiety, and, occasionally,
suicidal thoughts or actions.

Workers Compensation Act
The Workers Compensation Act (the Act) sets out the general duties of employers, workers, and
supervisors to ensure or protect the health and safety of workers. This includes preventing and
addressing workplace bullying and harassment. One of WorkSafeBC’s roles is
to support and enforce compliance by workplace parties with their legal obligations.
In 2013, WorkSafeBC issued Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies relating to workplace
bullying and harassment. These policies provide a consistent legal framework that identifies the steps
WorkSafeBC considers reasonable for workplace parties to take to meet their legal obligations to
prevent and address workplace bullying and harassment.

What is workplace bullying and harassment?
Not every unpleasant interaction, instance of disrespectful behaviour, or workplace conflict is bullying
and harassment. WorkSafeBC’s OHS policies use the phrase “bullying and harassment” as a single
term which:
(a)

includes any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards a worker that the person
knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause that worker to be humiliated or intimidated,
but

(b)

excludes any reasonable action taken by an employer or supervisor relating to the management
and direction of workers or the place of employment.

Examples of behaviour or comments that might constitute bullying and harassment include verbal
aggression or insults, calling someone derogatory names, harmful hazing or initiation practices,
vandalizing personal belongings, and spreading malicious rumours.

Toward a respectful workplace

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