Three steps in continuous improvement to prevent workplace harassment and violence

November 14, 2023 - Defence Stories

Striving to be a high-performance workplace means that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND) are committed to continuous improvement. One area of improvement is in the prevention of workplace harassment and violence with the goal of creating a healthier, happier environment. The Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Program (WHVP) focuses on prevention by using a multifaceted approach through workplace assessments, resolving occurrences, and training members to prevent workplace harassment and violence.

Workplace Assessment

Continuous improvement follows a cycle. Every three years, to facilitate the implementation of refreshed preventive measures, every CAF and DND workplace is required to conduct and document a WHVP workplace assessment. The workplace WHVP assessment should be a part of a unit’s overall Hazard Prevention Program and completed/reviewed in collaboration with a workplace’s health and safety committee or health and safety representative.

We are all legally required to review WHVP workplace assessments every three years and updated recommendations for preventive measures must be implemented as needed. All workplaces should complete their three-year WHVP assessment reviews by December 31, 2024. In addition, the assessment must be reviewed whenever:

1. there are changes to the risk factors within the organization that may warrant a reassessment;
2. an occurrence of harassment and violence in the workplace is not resolved through the negotiated resolution process and the principal party (an employee or employer who is the object of an occurrence) decides to end the resolution process;
3. the responding party (the person who is alleged to have been responsible for the occurrence) is not an employee or the employer;
4. a Notice of Occurrence was submitted anonymously; or
5. a WHVP investigation recommends changes.

In consultation with the National Health and Safety Policy Committee, the WHVP assessment guide has been updated.

Training

WHVP training is mandatory for all Defence Team members (CAF and Public Service Employees). The training must be completed within the first three months of employment and at least once every three years.

• Preventing Harassment and Violence Prevention in the Workplace for Employees (WMT101)

DND and CAF supervisors/CoC, Workplace Health and Safety Committee members, and Health and Safety representatives (note: WMT101 is a prerequisite):

• Preventing Harassment and Violence in the Workplace for Managers and Health and Safety Committees (WMT102)

For those who joined the Defence Team after 2021, this means that the WHVP training will have to be completed no later than three years after your last course. For the remainder of the Defence Team, the mandatory training must be completed by December 31, 2024. To accompany the mandatory GC Campus WHVP training, a training addendum has been added to provide specific information on the DND WHVP Program and its relevance to both DND employees and CAF members.

Further information on the WHVP Program can be found in DAOD 5014-0, the Workplace Harassment and Prevention Policy Manual, and WHVP Program website or by contacting the WHVP CoE at whvpcoe-phvce@forces.gc.ca.