Bullying and Harassment

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.

Common bullying and harassment behaviours include:

• Verbal aggression, insults, or threats.
• Humiliating initiation practices or hazing.
• Spreading malicious rumors.
• Calling someone derogatory names.
• Vandalizing personal belongings.
• Isolation and/or exclusion from work-related activities.
• Inappropriate flirting, unwelcome sexual comments, jokes, or advances.

Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent bullying and harassment. This includes:

• Developing a policy stating that bullying and harassment is not acceptable in the workplace.
• Establishing reporting procedures that explain how, when, and to whom workers can report concerns.
• Outlining how concerns will be addressed, such as how investigations will be conducted, follow-up actions, and record keeping.
• Informing and training staff so everyone understands the policy, how to recognize and respond to bullying and harassment, and how to report concerns.
• Reviewing policies and procedures annually to ensure they remain effective.

This poster is designed to help prevent bullying and harassment in the clinic. It informs staff about the clinic’s zero-tolerance policy and how to report concerns, supporting a respectful workplace. We recommend printing and displaying it in a staff area for easy reference.

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.

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.

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