2. Talk to your employer about the harassment
Question & Answer
What can I do if I am being harassed at work?If your workplace is covered by the safety rules in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, your employer must have a workplace policy.
This policy should be made to protect you from workplace harassment.
It should have information about:
- how to get help quickly if someone is in danger
- how to report harassment to your employer
- how your employer will deal with your complaint
Your employer must give you information and training so that you know what to do if you’re being harassed. You should follow the steps in the workplace harassment policy as much as possible.
If possible, you should get legal advice before you talk to your employer about the harassment. A lawyer can look at what happened and tell you if you’ve been harassed and what your rights are.
It’s against the law for your employer to punish you for asking about your health and safety rights. But making a complaint about harassment can be difficult.
The Law Society Referral Service can give you the name of a lawyer or paralegal you can consult with for free, for up to 30 minutes.
JusticeNet is a program for Canadians with low or moderate incomes. It connects people with lawyers and paralegals who charge lower legal fees based on your income.
You could also contact the Workers’ Health & Safety Legal Clinic, which helps people with low incomes who are having health and safety problems at work.
