Bullying and Harassment

Bullying and harassment in the clinic can take many forms, including verbal aggression, personal attacks, and other intimidating or humiliating behaviours directed at a worker. If bullying and harassment is not addressed, it can lead to lost productivity, illness, anxiety, depression, and low morale amongst employees.

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Bullying and Harassment

What is Bullying and Harassment?

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WorkSafeBC definition of bullying and harassment:

(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.

Employer Responsibilities

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Physician employers must inform staff of their bullying and harassment policy and procedure. The procedure must ensure a reasonable response to a report or incident, aim to fully address the incident, and ensure bullying and harassment is prevented or minimized in the future.

Employers must:
- Take steps to minimize bullying and harassment.
- Develop a policy statement to prevent and address bullying and harassment.
- Ensure the policy statement is posted in a visible staff area.
- Establish reporting and investigating procedures to manage incidents and complaints.
- Train staff to recognize, respond to, and report bullying and harassment.

Staff Responsibilities

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Staff must:
- Report any bullying and harassment behaviours they experience or observe.
- Not engage in the bullying and harassment of others.
- Apply and comply with the employer’s policies and procedures.

Policy and Procedures

Complete your Policy Statement, Reporting, and Investigating Procedures

All businesses in B.C., including medical practices, are required to develop a bullying and harassment policy and establish procedures for workers to report incidents or complaints. This includes outlining how, when and to whom workers should report such incidents. This template can help you establish the bullying and harassment policy and procedures for your clinic.

Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedure
Save Bullying and Harassment Complainant and Investigation forms

These templates can be used in the event of Bullying and Harassment incidents in your clinic.

Bullying and Harassment Complainant Form

Bullying and Harassment Investigation Form
Test your knowledge. Take the quiz!
Question 1 of 1:

Which of the following examples is bullying and/or harassment? (Check all that apply)
- A Verbal aggression or insults
- B Employer or supervisor takes reasonable action to manage and direct workers
- C Calling someone derogatory names
- D Harmful hazing or initiation practices
- E Vandalizing personal belongings
- F Spreading malicious rumours
- G Practical jokes
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You got out of correct.