Checklist to prevent, reduce bullying at work

In November, 2013, Work Safe BC implemented new legislation that requires all employers to update or change their workplace policies on bullying and harassment and to ensure that all employees are trained on what bullying and harassment is and how to ensure it is not happening in the organization.

There are a number of components to the new legislation that an employer is required to have in place in order to be deemed compliant with the new legislation. From the discussions I have had with a number of organizations, this list of things to do to be compliant can be a bit daunting and it is also really challenging to find time to do what needs to be done.

Here is a quick checklist of what you need to have in your organization in order to be compliant:

Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy that is specific to your organization
Procedures on how to make a bullying and harassment complaint and a Workplace Bullying and Harassment Complaint Form
Procedures on how investigations of complaints will be handled and a Workplace Bullying and Harassment Investigation Form
Training for Supervisors/Managers on their obligations associated with the new legislation including the company bullying and harassment policies, the process for complaints and investigations, and how to recognize and deal with problematic behaviour.
Training on what bullying and harassment is and what it is not is also important.
Training for Employees on their obligations associated with the new legislation including the company bullying and harassment policies and the process for complaints and investigations.

Beyond compliance, training on performance management, how to have difficult conversations and respectful workplace behaviour can dramatically improve your workplace environment.

To help you get this list of things to do off your plate and to move you into compliance, we have put together some services to assist you with this new requirement.

Services
Services	Fully Compliant	Training Compliant	Policy and Procedures Compliant
A review of your current policies and a creation and/or revision to ensure that you have a compliant Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy in place	♦	♦
Up to date procedures on how to make a bullying and harassment complaint and a fillable PDF of a Workplace Bullying and Harassment Complaint Form branded with your logo	♦	♦
Up to date procedures on how investigations of complaints will be handled and a fillable PDF Workplace Bullying and Harassment Investigation Form branded with your logo	♦	♦
One in-person training session for Supervisors/Managers on their obligations associated with the new legislation including: A review of the new bullying and harassment policies A walk through of the process for complaints and investigations Training on how to recognize and deal with problematic behaviour Training on what bullying and harassment is and what it is not Discussions on how to manage and direct performance without worrying about being accused of being a bully	♦	♦
One in-person training for Employees on their obligations associated with the new legislation including: the company bullying and harassment policies the process for complaints and investigations Training on what bullying and harassment is and what it is not from the employee’s perspective.	♦	♦