Workplace Violence in Healthcare

Violence in the workplace cannot be tolerated.

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Banner with the tagline "Safe workers mean better care. Let's work together to reduce violence in healthcare".

On May 15, 2017 the Ministry of Labour released “The Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare Leadership Table Report”. This report provided recommendations from healthcare stakeholders, and will allow Ontario to lead the way with producing resources to prevent violence in the Healthcare Sector. Recommendation 10 outlines that both the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development support the use of PSHSA’s tools to provide workplaces with a consistent, scalable and consensus-based approach. The tools, information and resources found at workplace-violence.ca will assist in reducing incidents and the impact of aggression, violence and responsive behaviours as well as in building an effective workplace violence program.

 

The website workplace-violence.ca and resources were created in collaboration with stakeholders, including Ministries, labour unions, healthcare leaders, patient advocate representatives, safety experts, associations and policy makers. The Workplace Violence in Healthcare project consisted of 3 phases. Read an overview of the full project background.

 

PSHSA has also started to develop four additional toolkits at the express request of the Joint Leadership Table led by the Ministries of Labour, Training and Skills Development and Health & Long-Term Care. The toolkits will focus on Incident Reporting and Investigation (esp. root cause analysis), Patient Transit (inside the facility) and Patient Transfer (to another facility), Code White, and Work Refusals. These toolkits are being developed with the guidance and input of a broad range of stakeholders and partners in the healthcare sector to ensure the tools meet the needs of those working in the sector and are also being informed by research and good practices identified in other jurisdictions.

 

If you have any questions about the project or how to get involved, please feel free to contact us at violenceprevention@pshsa.ca.

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“Violence against our health care workers affect us all. It impacts our families and our communities. Ontario’s skilled and compassionate health care workers are our health care system’s greatest asse
Hon. Kevin Flynn

For more information about Workplace Violence in Healthcare, contact: Henrietta Van hulle, Executive Director Healthcare and Community Service hvanhulle@pshsa.ca or Tina Dunlop, Project Coordinator tdunlop@pshsa.ca 519-890-9012

Global’s 16×9 investigates the assault and abuse of nurses across Canada

 

PSHSA’s Executive Director Health and Community Service, Henrietta Van hulle was interviewed to build awareness for this prominent issue. Henrietta and her team continue to lead prevention efforts at PSHSA in the healthcare sector.

 

Read the report here.

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Your First Step To Stopping Violence.

 

In the case of an incident at your workplace, please report it to your supervisor or the joint health & safety committee.

 

View these Webinars:

 

Workplace Violence Fast Fact

 

 

Bullying In The Workplace booklet

 

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Experiencing Workplace Violence?

 

We can help if you are experiencing workplace violence.

 

 

Workplace violence is not part of the job!
Violence in the workplace is a growing issue in all sectors. All workers and employers should have access to the occupational health and safety information they need, regardless of physical location.

 

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Free E-tools

 

Help assess and plan for your health and safety programs using our free online resources.

 

 

Download our Workplace Violence Prevention posters for your workplace:
Click the icon in the bottom corner to add your own hospital or organization logo in support of this prevalent issue.

 

Workplace Violence Poster - Nurse

Workplace Violence Poster - Gurney

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Your safety is our concern.

 

Get answers to your health and safety questions.

 

Workplace Sexual Violence and Harassment – Owning the Problem and Sharing the Solution

 

All employees are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace, free from sexual violence and harassment. Sexual harassment in the workplace can undermine dignity. It can prevent people from doing their jobs effectively, keep them from reaching full potential, and compromise their ability to earn a living. This harassment, left unchecked, also has the potential to escalate into violent behaviour.

 

Workers in Ontario deserve safer Workplaces, so efforts are being made to:

 

  • Introduce legislation to strengthen the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include a definition of sexual harassment. The legislation would include requirements for employers to investigate and address workplace harassment, including sexual harassment complaints, and include an obligation for employers to make every reasonable effort to protect workers.
  • Create a new Code of Practice for employers under the Act with steps employers can take to comply with the law and assist employers in making their workplaces safer.
  • Establish a special enforcement team of inspectors trained to address complaints of workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, and enforce the Act’s harassment provisions.
  • Develop educational materials to help employers create a safer workplace.
Workplace Harassment eLearning
This PSHSA eLearning module provides an overview of existing statutory requirements for workplace violence and harassment under OHSA and the extended obligations arising from legislative changes.
Workplace Harassment Code of Conduct
To learn more watch our video on the Workplace Harassment Code of Conduct.
Workplace Harassment Changes to the OHSA – Bill 132
This free webinar will provide you with information on what has changed in the OHSA and what you, as an employer in Ontario, need to know so you can achieve compliance.

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4 in 5 Canadians who say they had unwanted experiences did not report this behaviour to their employers. 28% of Canadians say they have been on the receiving end of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours or sexually charged talk while on the job. Sexual assault victimization rates are 5 times higher for women under the age of 35. 50% of workplace harassment victims suffer mental health related problems. 1 in 3 women in Canada will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime. $3 million from Innovation Fund by Ontario will support new creative projects to enhance community support for survivors of sexual violence.
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