Workplace Harassment in Ontario
Workplace harassment can seriously affect an employee’s health, morale, and productivity. In Ontario, workplace harassment is prohibited under the law, and organisations have clear responsibilities to prevent and address it.
Whether you are looking to define harassment, understand your rights, or learn how to respond if you experience it, this article explains what you need to know about harassment in the workplace and what legal options may be available.
What Is Workplace Harassment?
Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), workplace harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.
Put simply, harassment at work includes repeated behaviours that humiliate, intimidate, or offend an employee.
Common examples of harassment of employees include:
- Verbal abuse or name-calling
- Threats, intimidation, or physical gestures
- Spreading rumours or malicious gossip
- Unreasonable work demands used to belittle someone
- Offensive jokes or comments about protected characteristics like race, gender, or disability
If you’re asking, what is harassment or what does harassment mean in legal terms, remember it is about patterns of unwelcome behaviour that create a toxic or unsafe environment, not one-off misunderstandings.
Workplace Harassment in Ontario
Ontario employers are required to have a written workplace harassment policy, conduct regular reviews, and ensure that all complaints are taken seriously. If you’re facing harassment at work in Ontario, you have the right to report it and expect a fair investigation.
Employers who ignore harassment in the workforce risk liability under both employment law and human rights law. If harassment is connected to a protected ground (such as race, sex, disability, age, or family status), it may also violate the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Definition of Harassment vs. General Conflict
Some people search for the definition of harassment because it can be confusing to distinguish between normal workplace conflict and unlawful conduct. Not every disagreement or unpleasant interaction qualifies. To meet the definition under Ontario law, the behaviour must be more than trivial, it must be repeated, and create a hostile environment.
If you’re wondering what workplace harassment is in practice, think of repeated incidents that a reasonable person would see as unwelcome and harmful.
Legal Protections and Your Options
If you are experiencing harassment in the workplace in Ontario, here are steps to consider:
- Document the behaviour. Keep notes with dates, times, and details.
- Report internally. Use your employer’s harassment reporting procedure.
- Seek legal guidance. If your employer fails to act, you may have options under employment law or human rights law.
When internal reports don’t resolve the problem, employees sometimes consult workplace harassment lawyers or lawyers for employment harassment to review their case. Remedies can include filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labour or bringing a claim to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Harassment
Usually, it must be repeated behaviour to meet the legal threshold, but a single severe incident (for example, violence or a serious threat) may still qualify.
Final Thoughts
If you are dealing with harassment at work Ontario or are an employer concerned about meeting your legal obligations, addressing the issue early is essential.
Christopher Achkar, Founder and Employment Lawyer Achkar Law, says:
“Workplace harassment harms both employees and organizations. A safe environment is not only a legal requirement but a foundation for productivity, morale, and growth.”
Need Guidance?
Our team at Achkar Law works with both employees and organizations across Ontario on issues involving workplace harassment and other workplace disputes.
Contact us today to confidentially discuss your situation.
Contact Achkar Law at 1-800-771-7882 | email at [email protected]
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Achkar Law Professional Corporation and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Achkar Law Professional Corporation. ©
Workplace Law Topics: Workplace Harassment, Employment Litigation, Human Rights, Constructive Dismissal