Sample workplace harassment and violence risk assessment tool

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• Insert your organization’s logo
• Site name:
• Name:
• Applicable partner:
• Date:

Indicate with a checkmark if this is the initial assessment or a reassessment. Indicate when you conducted the last assessment (if applicable) and when you are planning to conduct the next assessment:

• Initial assessment date:
• Reassessment date:
• Today’s date:
• Last assessment date (if applicable):
• Next planned assessment review date:

Section A – Harassment and violence risk assessment

Answer each question in the workplace risk assessment based on its content. For example, when you read the 39 questions below, ask yourself the following:

• Do I have it?
  1. if Yes (I do have it), do I need to review it?
     1. if Yes (I need to review it), and do I need to modify it?
        1. if Yes (I need to modify it), then describe the existing controls and list any action items
        2. if No (I do not need to modify it), then no further action is required
     2. if No (I do not need to review it), then no further action is required
  2. if No (I do not have it), do I need to develop one?
     1. if Yes (I need to develop one), then describe the existing controls and/or list any action items
     2. if No (I do not need to develop one), then no further action is required

If you need to develop any of the items referenced in the 39 questions, please fill out the existing controls and your action items that arise from this risk assessment, using the alternate format of this tool.

Prevention policy

1. Does the employer have a policy addressing workplace harassment and violence, including sexual harassment and domestic violence, containing all elements required by the Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations (the Regulations) that is readily available to all employees?
2. Does the employer communicate to its employees the contents of the harassment and violence prevention policy?
3. Does the employer ensure by policy and in practice that there is no disciplinary or punitive action against an employee for filing a notice of an occurrence of harassment and violence?
4. Does the employer require by policy and/or practice that employees report any occurrences of harassment and violence in the workplace?

Emergency procedures

1. Does the employer have readily available emergency procedures to address an occurrence that poses or threatens to pose an immediate danger to the health and safety of an employee (for example, a bomb threat, riot, highjack, active shooter, armed threat, robbery, employee distress/ threat of self-harm)?

Training

1. Are all management and non-management employees trained on the prevention of all forms of workplace harassment and violence, including harassment and violence based on the prohibited grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act?
2. Are employers and designated recipients trained on responding to occurrences of harassment and violence?
3. Are all management and non-management employees trained on civility and respect in the workplace?
4. Are all management and non-management employees provided training on how to recognize the difference between workplace conflict and harassment and violence?
5. Are all management employees provided training on how to coach and mitigate workplace conflict that may become harassment and violence, if left unmanaged?

Resolution process

1. Does the employer ensure by policy and/or practice that notices of occurrences of harassment and violence can be submitted anonymously?
2. Does the employer have a designated recipient that has received training before assuming their duties under the Regulations ?
3. Are there alternative avenues for submitting a notice of an occurrence of harassment and violence when the designated recipient is the principal or responding party in the occurrence?
4. Does the employer respond to all notices of occurrences of harassment and violence?
5. Does the employer have a formal process to inquire into occurrences of harassment and violence that happen outside of the workplace (for example, cyberbullying outside of work hours)?
6. Is there a process in place to make the option of conciliation available?
7. Are the investigators appointed to harassment and violence investigations chosen in accordance with the Regulations ?

Physical work environment

1. Is the workplace located in a low-crime area?
2. Is public access to the workplace restricted?
3. Are access doors locked or secured after hours?
4. Is video surveillance and/or security services used to monitor entrances, exits and the surroundings of the workplace?
5. Is there adequate lighting at all times (or at least during working hours) inside and outside the workplace?
6. Does the employer have well-lit and secure parking lots available for its employees?
7. Is there a secure place (such as, a locked area or ‘personnel access only’ area) for employees to safely store their personal belongings?
8. For all work-related activities occurring outside company premises or outside regular working hours, are there security protocols in place that are shared with employees to mitigate risk?
9. Are there processes in place to address security gaps?

Type of work

1. Is the work free from handling cash and/or other valuables?
2. Does the work involve transporting people or goods?
3. Is the work free from direct (such as, in-person) contact with clients?
4. Are employees trained on procedures to manage angry or aggressive clients (for example, de-escalating techniques)?
5. Are employees trained on safety precautions to take and procedures to follow when working alone or in small numbers to protect themselves from harassment and violence?
6. Are employees trained on safety precautions to take and procedures to follow when going onto sites (commercial or residential) where the environment is unknown?
7. Are employees trained on emergency procedures to be implemented where an occurrence poses an immediate danger or there is a threat of an occurrence posing an immediate danger to the health and safety of an employee?

Psychological protection

1. Do management employees receive training on their role to support psychological health?
2. Does the employer have internal resources available to provide support to employees who experience psychological or emotional stress stemming either from the workplace or their personal lives?
3. Does the employer periodically survey employees on their satisfaction with the work environment?
4. Are there specific preventative measures in place to protect employees when they work during times of increased psychological vulnerability, such as under high-stress conditions (for example, seasonal demands, exceptional circumstances, etc.)?

Leadership and organizational structure

1. Are managers trained on appropriate use of authority?
2. Are there clear lines of reporting to minimize conflicting demands on employees?