Workplace violence is a serious hazard that many CUPE members face every day. In response to this hazard, the CUPE health and safety branch is pleased to announce our most recent resource, the updated Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention Kit.
The purpose of the kit is to provide CUPE members with resources to help protect them against violence and harassment in the workplace. Far too often, employers develop policies and procedures that only react to violence and harassment. This approach is not good enough. CUPE’s new kit focuses primarily on preventing violence and harassment in the workplace before it happens.
The backbone of the kit is the updated Violence Prevention Guideline. The guideline gives members the basics about violence and harassment, the risk factors and consequences of violence and harassment, and the employer’s requirements under various provincial and federal legislation. It also provides a framework for how workers, unions, and health and safety committees can work together to prevent workplace violence and harassment. Where additional information is needed, more specific resource materials have been developed. These resources include a paper on developing a workplace violence and prevention policy, several checklists for hazard assessments and inspections, and finally, a sample letter in response to a violent incident in the workplace. New materials will be added to the kit throughout the year.