The Nova Scotia government says new regulations around harassment in the workplace will help keep employees safer.
They are coming into effect on September 1, which will mean employers must create a written harassment prevention policy that includes expectations, information on how to report concerns and how complaints will be investigated.
The province says those policies must commit to confidentiality and non-retaliation while also training staff on and reviewing the policy every three years.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe at work — physically and psychologically,” said Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “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.”
Government says the new regulations are a response to both the 2024 workers’ compensation system review and concerns outlined in a 2022 report that found “systemic issues of racism, inequity and a lack of psychological safety in many workplaces.”
The province says the new rules will apply to all provincially regulated workplaces.
Harassment, it says, can include bullying, intimidation, threats and unwanted behaviour that causes harm.
“The NSNU welcomes regulations requiring employers to institute an anti-harassment policy,” Janet Hazelton, President, Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, said in a press release. “It was rewarding for me to work with the WCB (Workers’ Compensation Board) review committee that recommended this change to help make our workplaces more respectful and psychologically safer for workers. Psychological safety is as important as physical safety.”