Anatomy of a Workplace Investigation

You have received a complaint of bullying and harassment in the workplace. What do you do? The first step is to review the complaint and your policy on bullying and harassment. There are two reasons for this. The first is the general requirement that employers are required to provide a safe workplace, which includes a harassment and bullying free work environment. The second is the obligations of employers under WorkSafe BC’s regulations to investigate complaints of bullying and harassment. If the allegations are related to a ground under the Human Rights Code, an employer also has an obligation to investigate and take steps to address any discrimination, or face liability for the conduct of its employees.

By properly investigating complaints of bullying and harassment, a local government will also limit exposure to liability and damages that can result from bullying and harassment in the workplace.

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