INTERNATIONAL NEWS


Two Death Threats Against Foreman Land Employee Five-day Suspension: Employer Required to Act


Canada - The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), sitting as an arbitrator, has upheld a five-day suspension against a construction employee who admitted that he threatened twice, over two days, to kill his foreman. The OLRB referred to Ontario’s Bill 168 which introduced workplace violence and harassment provisions to the Ontario Occupational


Health and Safety Act. The OLRB stated, “when an event that fits squarely within the definition of workplace violence [under Bill 168] occurs, an employer is not only permitted but required to act, both to deal with the unacceptable behaviour and to take steps to ensure that its policies are known and understood.” The OLRB believes sending a strong message that discourages other employees from engaging in workplace violence is very important.


To read more, click here WorkSafeBC Introduces Tool Kit to Reduce the Risk of Domestic Violence Entering the Workplace


Canada - WorkSafeBC has created a new tool kit to reduce the risk of domestic violence entering into the workplace. The kit is available online at no cost and provides advice on how to recognize the signs that workers may be affected by domestic violence. It has information about employers’ legal obligations and contains recommendations and strategies to help avoid situations where domestic violence could affect the safety of workers and the workplace. “Employers have a responsibility to protect their workers from threats or acts of violence — whether it originates in the workplace or follows them to their workplace from home,” said Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government, Margaret MacDiarmid. “This tool kit will give employers essential information and tools to help them identify and handle potential hazards that may arise from aggravated domestic situations.”


To read more, click here New Policy to Protect Staff from Violence at Lincolnshire Hospitals


United Kingdom - A new policy is being introduced at local hospitals to protect staff against violent and aggressive behavior. United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a new violence and aggression policy to highlight that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated by workers in any hospital managed by the Trust. The Trust's policy makes it clear that these actions will not be accepted and explains that staff can call for police assistance if required. Between 2010 and 2011 there were five violent incidents against staff in Skegness Hospital together and 172 incidents at hospital sites in Boston, Lincoln and Grantham. Inspector Pat Coates, from Lincolnshire Police said, "no member of staff employed by the United Lincolnshire NHS Trust should be subjected to violence or aggression from a patient, their relative or friend when the staff are trying to help them.”


To read more, click here


Slap On Face Not Just Cause For Dismissal: Employer Failed To Train On Violence Rules


Canada - An Ontario judge has held that an employer which failed to train employees on its workplace violence rules did not have just cause to dismiss an employee who slapped a coworker in the face. Two workers were engaged in “verbal jousting” described by other co-workers as “trash-talk”, “off-colour language”, “salty language” or acting like “two kids in a courtyard”. One worker, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, struck the other worker on the face with an open hand, apparently provoked by something that the other worker said. The judge found that the plaintiff, who had almost 6 years of service, enjoyed a clean disciplinary record and did not have a history of violence or anger management problems. The slap caused brief facial redness. The employer fired the plaintiff and claimed just cause for dismissal without notice. The employee sued in the courts for wrongful dismissal.


To read the full article click here; to read the case click on Shakur v. Mitchell Plastics 6


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