The management of HPZ is committed to providing a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Workplace violence and harassment will not be tolerated from any person in the workplace. Everyone in the workplace must be dedicated to preventing workplace violence and harassment.

HPZ will take whatever steps are reasonable to protect our workers from workplace violence and harassment from all sources. Managers, supervisors, and workers are expected to uphold this policy, and will be held accountable by the employer. This policy also applies to contractors, clients, suppliers and visitors to the office and manufacturing facility.

Workplace violence is defined in the OHSA as (1) the exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker; (2) an attempt to exercise physical force against a worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker or (3) a statement or behaviour that it is reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker [subsection 1(1)].

Workplace harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker, in a workplace, that is known, or ought to be reasonably known, to be unwelcome. Harassment may also relate to a form of discrimination as set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code, but it does not have to.

To help workers to understand the terms above and identify appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, all HPZ workers will participate in a mandatory online course every 5 years.

Workers are encouraged to report all incidents of violence and harassment, no matter how minor, to the immediate supervisor and/or management. Absolutely no negative consequences to the reporter will arise as the results of reports made in good faith.

Management will ensure that this policy and the supporting program are implemented and maintained and that all workers and supervisors have the appropriate information and instruction to protect them from harassment in the workplace. HPZ pledges to investigate and deal with all incidents and complaints of workplace violence and harassment in a timely and fair manner, respecting the privacy of all concerned as much as possible. Incidents of harassment will be dealt with as per the HPZ Discipline Policy.

Nothing in this policy prevents or discourages a worker from filing an application with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, on any matter related to the Ontario Human Rights Code, within one year of the last alleged incident. A worker also retains the right to exercise any other legal avenues available.