If you work in an office, you might believe that health and safety policies do not apply to you. But the truth is that, regardless of whether you work in a safety-sensitive role or spend most of your day behind a desk, all employees have the right to a safe working environment. Provincial occupational health and safety legislation imposes duties and responsibilities on employers to take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety while at work. .
It is important for employees to understand that workplace safety is not only concerned with potential physical dangers such as heavy machinery or potentially toxic substances. In fact, workplace health and safety includes an employee’s right to be free from emotional, mental and physical danger as well; that includes workplace bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment) and/or violence.
Coronavirus
The coronavirus outbreak has had a major impact on employment and the Canadian economy.
Both employees and employers in Ontario are contacting us with varying questions about their workplace and employment rights. Workers want to know what protections they have under labour and employment law. Employers are seeking guidance on how to maintain a functioning business during the COVID-19 response.
We can answer your questions pertaining to your rights to a safe workplace, employees and self-isolation, working from home, fired / laid off or put on temporary lay-off, changes made to your job, returning to work from a layoff, or government aid and emergency programs.