Workplace Violence and Harassment Assignment

Sara Campbell (100428529)

1. Define “Workplace Violence”; provide a real-world example. Define

“Workplace Harassment”; provide a real-world example.
Workplace violence is defined as violence or the threat of violence against workers. It
can happen anywhere, not just at the workplace itself and can include verbal or physical
abuse, assaults, and threats. An example of workplace violence is when a customer
starts throwing goods at cashiers because they would not give her a discount because
she “knows the owner”.
Workplace harassment is defined as “offensive, humiliating, or intimidating behavior”
[CITATION And16 \l 1033 ] . An example of workplace harassment is when a customer sees
you on your break and starts catcalling you.
[ CITATION USD02 \l 1033 ][ CITATION Gov19 \l 1033 ].

2.What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? What can an EAP do

to help employees who have experienced “Workplace Violence and/or
Harassment”?
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is “an employee benefit that typically provides
free and confidential psychological, financial and legal advice” [ CITATION And161 \l 1033 ].
EAPs can provide access to any type of supports for employees who have experienced
any form of workplace violence and/ or harassment. EAPs also cover any of these
costs. This type of program is usually extended to all members in your household or
immediate family but it varies by company. Always review these policies so you are
aware of what they may offer to you7.

3.On DC Connect, you will find two (2) Durham College policies; read both
documents and tell me what is important about each and why it is
necessary for workplaces to put these policies in place?
In the Durham College Workplace Violence Prevention Policy, it states that the College
will follow the guidelines set by The Occupational Health and Safety Act and take full
responsibility for the health and wellbeing of its employees. The Policy also states that
any form of workplace violence is prohibited and not tolerated on any of its campuses.
(Durham College, 2017)
In the Durham College Harassment, Workplace Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
Policy, it specifies that Durham college takes all forms of harassment seriously and sets
areas that are not grounds for judging an employee’s capabilities and performances.
The Policy also mentions that no employee is permitted to act in this manner and no
one reporting any violation, will face any penalties. Finally, it says that Durham College
is an environment where everyone from every background is welcome. (Durham
College, 2016).
It is necessary for workplaces to have these types of policies because it lets their
employees know that they take all forms of workplace violence and harassment
seriously. There is also set procedures for how these situations are handled. These
policies are a further acknowledgement of any regional, municipal, provincial and
federal labour and criminal laws and codes, and set clear expectations and penalties for
violations against these laws and codes. Workplaces have to be liable for safe working
environments for their employees, or no one would want to work there or continue to
work there.
Works Cited
Anderson, L. E. (2016). Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success (Fourth Edition
ed.). United States of America: Pearson Education. Retrieved July 3, 2020, from
www.pearsonhighered.com
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. (2018,
May). Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment. (Q. P. Ontario, Producer)
Retrieved July 3, 2020, from Government of Ontario, Ministry of Labour, Training
and Skills Development:
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/topics/workplaceviolence.php
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. (2019,
October 28). Understand the law on workplace violence and harassment. (Q. P.
Ontario, Producer) Retrieved July 3, 2020, from Government of Ontario, Ministry
of Labour, Training and Skills Development:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/understand-law-workplace-violence-and-harassment
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2002).
Workplace Violence. Retrieved July 3, 2020, from OSHA Fact Sheet:
https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-workplace-
violence.pdf
Durham College. (2017). Workplace Violence Prevention Policy. (Durham College No.
EMPL- 313). Retrieved July 3, 2020, from
https://durhamcollege.desire2learn.com/content/enforced/317499-
13307.202042/DC- Workplace-violence-prevention- policy1.pdf?
_&d2lSessionVal=NR8KuBlOz61jdiZASLQvPDoB2
Durham College. (2016). Harassment, Workplace Sexual Harassment and
Discrimination Policy. (Durham College No. ADMIN-202). Retrieved July 3,
2020, from https://durhamcollege.desire2learn.com/content/enforced/317499-
13307.202042/DC- Harassment-and-discrimination- policy1.pdf?
_&d2lSessionVal=NR8KuBlOz61jdiZASLQvPDoB2