Workplace Harassment | Workplace Bullying
Workplace harassment in Ontario happens when an employee is bullied, mistreated, or targeted with repeated unwelcome behaviour at work. If you're facing workplace bullying or harassment, you may have a legal claim and the right to protect your health, job, and reputation.
Workplace harassment or bullying can take a serious toll on your mental health, job performance, and personal life. If you’re facing harassment of any kind, verbal abuse, threats, humiliation, or bullying in the workplace may have legal options under Ontario’s workplace laws.
Whether the behaviour comes from a manager, co-worker, or someone else in the workplace, you don’t have to put up with it. Ontario law protects employees from harassment and workplace bullying, and a legal claim may help you seek compensation or corrective action.
At Achkar Law, we help employees across Ontario understand their rights and pursue legal remedies when harassment at work becomes a serious concern.
Harassed or Bullied at Work? You Don’t Have to Put Up With It.
Workplace harassment and bullying in Ontario can take many forms, from verbal abuse to exclusion to repeated mistreatment by managers or co-workers. If you’re facing harassment at work, you may have legal grounds to take action.
What Is Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment refers to conduct that demeans, humiliates, or intimidates a worker, and it doesn’t have to be physical. Bullying in the workplace, verbal threats, psychological abuse, repeated offensive remarks, or any behaviour that creates a toxic environment may qualify.
In Ontario, workplace harassment is not limited to employer-employee interactions. It can come from co-workers, managers, clients, or even external contractors. Whether it’s open hostility or subtle intimidation, harassment of employees can impact job performance, mental health, and your long-term career.
Workplace bullying and harassment are taken seriously under Ontario law. If you’re being mistreated, ignored, or made to feel unsafe at work, you don’t have to stay silent. Legal remedies exist, and we’re here to help you understand your rights.
Understanding a Hostile Work Environment
Not sure if your experience counts as harassment or workplace bullying?
This short video explains what a hostile workplace looks like and what your rights may be under Ontario law.
Do I Have a Case for Workplace Harassment?
Not every unpleasant interaction at work qualifies as workplace harassment, but some experiences do cross the line. If you’ve been subjected to repeated unwelcome conduct that makes your work environment hostile, offensive, or intimidating, you may have a case, especially if the conduct is tied to abuse of power or protected grounds under Ontario’s laws.
You might have a valid workplace harassment case in Ontario if:
- You’ve experienced ongoing bullying or psychological harassment from coworkers, management, or clients.
- The behaviour includes yelling, insults, threats, or deliberate isolation.
- There have been unreasonable performance pressures or micromanagement tied to personal hostility.
- You reported the harassment internally, and your employer failed to act or retaliated.
- The situation created mental or physical health effects, like anxiety, burnout, or medical leave.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth exploring whether your rights have been violated and what legal remedies might be available to you.
“No one should feel unsafe or humiliated at work. If you’re experiencing harassment or bullying, our team at Achkar Law is ready to help you understand your rights and take action, but don’t wait to speak with a lawyer.”
— Christopher Achkar, Employment Lawyer
What If My Employer Did Nothing?
In Ontario, employers are legally required to investigate and address workplace harassment complaints under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). If you reported harassment and nothing was done, or worse, you were punished for speaking up, your employer may have violated the law.
Some common employer failures include:
- Ignoring complaints or failing to take them seriously
- Delaying the investigation or conducting a biased one
- Failing to implement any real consequences for the harasser
- Retaliating against the person who made the complaint
When employers don’t act, the harassment can escalate, and your legal options may expand. You may have grounds to file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, or pursue damages through a civil claim. In some cases, it may also amount to constructive dismissal.
Legal Options for Victims of Workplace Harassment
If you’re dealing with workplace harassment in Ontario, you may have more than one legal option available, depending on the circumstances.
Some possible paths include:
- Filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labour
For violations of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), especially when your employer fails to investigate or stop the harassment. - Starting a civil claim
You may be able to seek damages for mental distress, reputational harm, or constructive dismissal if the harassment made the workplace intolerable. - Filing a human rights complaint
If the harassment relates to a protected ground such as race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation, you may file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
Each legal route comes with its own procedures, deadlines, and risks. A workplace harassment lawyer can help you decide what makes the most sense based on your specific situation.
Common Misconceptions About Harassment at Work
Many workers in Ontario hesitate to act because they believe one of the following myths:
- “It’s not harassment unless it’s physical.”
Verbal abuse, bullying, intimidation, or repeated exclusion can still amount to workplace harassment. - “It’s only harassment if it happens more than once.”
While ongoing behaviour is common, a single serious incident such as a threat or act of violence may still qualify. - “There’s nothing I can do if the person harassing me is a manager or executive.”
Workplace harassment laws apply to everyone, regardless of seniority. Employers have a duty to investigate all complaints. - “I didn’t report it right away, so I can’t do anything now.”
While prompt reporting is helpful, it’s not a requirement. You may still have legal options.
Don’t let misunderstandings about the law stop you from protecting your well-being. A conversation with a workplace harassment lawyer can clarify your rights and next steps.
How a Workplace Harassment Lawyer Can Help
If you’re experiencing workplace harassment in Ontario, speaking with a lawyer can help you take practical, informed steps toward resolution.
Depending on the situation, a workplace harassment lawyer can:
- Clarify your legal rights under Ontario’s workplace harassment laws, including those in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Assess your options for internal complaints, human rights claims, or constructive dismissal.
- Draft or review complaint letters to your employer or HR department to help you document the situation effectively.
- Help you respond to employer investigations and protect yourself from retaliation.
- Pursue compensation or settlement where the harassment has led to emotional distress, job loss, or damage to your career.
You don’t have to wait until things escalate further. Even a single consultation can help you understand your position and move forward with confidence.
Contact a Workplace Harassment Lawyer
You don’t have to put up with a toxic or abusive work environment. If you’re dealing with workplace harassment, bullying in the workplace, or other forms of mistreatment, legal options may be available, and a clear path forward is possible.
At Achkar Law, our lawyers help individuals across Ontario assess their rights, explore their legal options, and take action when needed. We’re here to provide practical legal advice tailored to your situation.
Let’s talk about what’s going on and what can be done.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Harassment
What is considered harassment of employees in Ontario?
Harassment of employees can include verbal abuse, intimidation, sexual comments, exclusion, cyberbullying, or other unwelcome conduct. In Ontario, this behaviour is addressed under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Human Rights Code, especially when it targets someone based on a protected ground.
Is bullying in the workplace the same as workplace harassment?
Yes. Bullying in the workplace such as constant criticism, sabotage, or social isolation, is a common form of workplace harassment. Whether it’s subtle or obvious, employee bullying that affects your mental health or job performance may give rise to legal remedies.
What should I do if I’m experiencing employee bullying?
If you’re facing employee bullying from a co-worker, manager, or even a client, document every incident. Reporting it internally may be a first step, but speaking to a workplace harassment lawyer can help you assess your options and protect your rights.
What are my rights under workplace harassment laws in Ontario?
Ontario workplace harassment laws require employers to have policies and procedures for dealing with complaints. You have the right to work in a safe, respectful environment and to raise concerns without facing retaliation.
Can I take legal action if my employer ignores workplace harassment?
Yes. If your employer fails to investigate or address harassment of employees properly, you may have grounds for a Ministry of Labour complaint, a human rights claim, or even a constructive dismissal case.
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Contact us by phone toll-free at 1-866-471-5098 or email us at [email protected], and we will be happy to assist.