HR INSIGHTS

SARC’s Human Resources and Labour Relations Newsletter

#20 VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

In this issue, consultants from SARC and MLT Aikins discuss topics of psychological health and safety as well as harassment and violence in the workplace.

Contents

Recent Legislative Changes Impact How Employers Are Required to Address Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

Amy Gibson

The Landscape Is Changing but the Foundations Remain the Same: Violence in the Unionized Workplace

Scott Mostoway

Psychological Health and Safety: Why it Matters and What You Can Do

Scott Mostoway

4 Recent Legislative Changes Impact How Employers Are Required to Address Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

6

by Amy Gibson

An Act to Amend The Saskatchewan Employment Act (the “Amendment Act 2022”) came into force on May 17, 2023. In this article, Amy Gibson, Lawyer MLT Aikins, explains the new requirements to address before May 17, 2024.

The Landscape Is Changing but the Foundations Remain the Same: Violence in the Unionized Workplace

by Scott Mostoway

With legislation changing, there are some considerations to keep in mind when dealing with situations of violence while operating in a unionized environment. Scott Mostoway talks about the collective agreement language, and what considerations arbitrators make when deciding an appropriate disciplinary penalty.

Psychological Health and Safety: Why it Matters and What You Can Do

8

by Scott Mostoway

A psychologically safe workplace is one where everyone works to create a respectful and engaging learning environment. SARC Senior Labour Relations Consultant, Scott Mostoway, explores ways to ensure a more psychologically safe workplace and the benefits of doing so.

Introducing SARC’s Workforce Development Coordinator

Meet Bobbi Janzen, SARC’s new Workforce Development Coordinator! In this role, Bobbi will be identifying and fostering strategic partnerships with education, labour, other workforce organizations, and community partners to address Disability Service sector workforce needs and assist with talent supply and demand. She will also lead workforce promotion strategies to connect job seekers to the Disability Service sector. Bobbi is looking forward to applying her background in talent acquisition, recruiting, and disability sector advocacy to this role and connecting with our Members to learn more about the sector’s workforce needs.

Bobbi is also available to consult with SARC’s Regular and Associate Members on their workforce development inquiries, including recruitment and retention strategies, job descriptions, HR policies and procedures, compensation/total rewards, and succession planning. She can be reached at bjanzen@ sarcan.sk.ca or (306) 933-0616, ext. 221. You can look forward to having Bobbi as an article contributor in future issues of HR Insights.

Article Contributors

About Scott

Scott can assist SARC’s Regular and Associate Members with a variety of LR/HR issues, including progressive discipline, performance management, and duty to accommodate for unionized and non-unionized organizations. He can also provide specific support in collective bargaining for unionized organizations. Accessing this service is free of charge and can minimize organizational risk. Having a quick check-in or a review done before decisions are made can save you time and money in the end.

About Amy

Amy Gibson carries on a general labour and employment law practice. She advises employers on a variety of labour issues, including union certification drives, collective agreement interpretation, labour disputes, workplace policies, discipline and discharge, employment contracts, OH&S, workers’ compensation, labour standards and human rights. She has experience with a variety of court and administrative proceedings as well as representing clients before the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board and in Canada Labour Code unjust dismissal adjudications.