Nova Scotia to require employers to have a written harassment prevention policy
Upon the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act’s new workplace harassment regulations becoming effective on Sept. 1, all the province’s workplaces should have a written policy to prevent and respond to physical and psychological harassment.
In a news release, the provincial government explained that harassment can include bullying, intimidation, threats, and unwanted behaviour leading to harm.
“These new rules will help employers take clear, proactive steps to prevent and address harassment, support their teams and build stronger, safer workplaces for everyone,” said Nolan Young, Nova Scotia’s minister of labour, skills, and immigration, in the news release.
Nova Scotia noted that the new rules require employers to:
- have a written harassment prevention policy containing expectations, how to report concerns, and how they will investigate complaints
- train staff members on the policy, which is subject to review at least every three years
- commit to confidentiality and non-retaliation
“The NSNU welcomes regulations requiring employers to institute an anti-harassment policy,” said Janet Hazelton, the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union’s president, in the news release.
The provincial government said the new rules, applicable to all provincially regulated workplaces in Nova Scotia, aim to acknowledge the serious effects of workplace harassment, bullying, and psychological harm.
Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Nova Scotia shared that 2024 saw 194 reports of psychological workplace injuries, up from 150 reports three years ago.
“It was rewarding for me to work with the WCB review committee that recommended this change to help make our workplaces more respectful and psychologically safer for workers,” Hazelton said. “Psychological safety is as important as physical safety.”
“Everyone deserves to feel safe at work – physically and psychologically,” Young added.
The province said the new rules seek to respond to findings and reflect insights from:
- a 2024 workers’ compensation system review, which stressed the need to tackle workplace harassment
- a 2022 report by Nova Scotia’s Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, which saw systemic concerns relating to racism, inequity, and a lack of psychological safety in workplaces
- public engagement sessions to help shape the new regulations, with over 600 Nova Scotians sharing their stories and urging better policies, training, leadership, and support for those impacted by harassment
In its news release, Nova Scotia noted that Canada’s other provinces have also been adjusting their workplace safety laws to help protect workers’ psychological health and safety.
Stronger workplaces
The province passed the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act in September 2024. Last July 15, Nova Scotia announced that new return-to-work legislation, known as the duty to co-operate, took effect.
The new law, which is also part of the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act, aimed to help employees heal and remain connected to their workplace after job injuries.
The recently operative legislation requires workers injured on the job, their employers, and WCB Nova Scotia to collaborate to support a timely and safe return to work.
