Bullying & Harassment Lawyers in Ontario

There are different laws and regulations for workplaces to protect employees. This includes the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

If you experience harassment at work and it is not related to a human rights violation, you are still protected by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They set out the regulations for workplace violence and harassment.

Workplace harassment involves any unwelcome words or actions by another person that are known or ought to be characterized as demeaning, embarrassing, offensive or humiliating to a worker or group of workers in a workplace. It can also include behaviour that intimidates, isolates or even discriminates against the targeted individual or group.

Examples of harassment included:

• making jokes
• innuendos or remarks that ridicule, demean, intimidate or offend someone
• displaying or circulating offensive pictures or materials in print or electronic form
• bullying
• repeated offensive or intimidating phone calls or e-mails
• workplace sexual harassment

You should keep any text messages/emails, and document any instances of harassment so you can demonstrate the instances and pattern of harassment. 

It is important to speak with an employment lawyer to determine what your options are if you have been the victim of harassment at work.

In addition to creating a negative work environment, workplace harassment & bullying can also cause mental health issues. Some of the effects include:

• Shock
• Anger
• Panic and/or anxiety
• Feeling of helplessness
• Frustration
• Inability to concentrate

The workplace should always be free of any kind of bullying or harassment. However, if you have been bullied or harassed at work, the first thing that you should do is to speak to your employer or the HR department (if there is one). It’s also very important to document everything.

In Ontario, there must be policies in place to deal with situations like this and allow you to file a complaint. This should even be the case if the harasser is your employer or supervisor. You may also want to contact the Ministry of Labour.

If you quit due to bullying or harassment in the workplace, you may have a claim for constructive dismissal. Ensure that any bullying or harassment is reported and addressed by your employer. If they fail to investigate the situation or rectify it, you should contact a lawyer.