New approach for CAF Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention coming soon

December 2, 2024 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 4:00

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are committed to creating a safer, more respectful workplace for everyone. To achieve this, we're making some important policy changes.

On March 1, 2025, a revised policy, DAOD 5014-0, Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention, will be introduced for the Defence Team. This change will broaden the policy and align the CAF Harassment program with the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Program. Going forward, we will have one approach for dealing with harassment and violence in the workplace, applicable to both DND public service employees and CAF members. All incidents of harassment and violence in the Defence Team will be managed by the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Program.

What are the key changes?

Here is a summary of some key changes that Defence Team members should be aware of:

• DAOD 5012-0, Harassment Prevention and Resolution will be abolished. There will no longer be a separate policy and process for workplace harassment and violence that involves only CAF members;
• Any new reported occurrence of workplace harassment and violence involving CAF members after March 1, 2025, regardless of when the incident occurred, will be subject to DAOD 5014-0, Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention and handled under the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Program;
• As per DAOD 5014-0, the Canada Labour Code (CLC) definition of Harassment and Violence will apply for all occurrences of workplace harassment and violence. This definition is broader than the definition previously used in DAOD 5012-0; and
• CAF members will be able to submit a written or verbal Notice of Occurrence (NoO) to either their Chain of Command (CoC) or manager, or a Designated Recipient (DR), which has been established in Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC) to receive and resolve NoOs from Defence Team members who wish to provide notice outside of their CoC. To contact the DR, members can email DesignatedRecipientHVPDestinataireDesignedelaPHV@forces.gc.ca or call the secure voicemail box at 1-833-451-1604.

Why are we making this change?

We will no longer have two parallel systems for dealing with harassment and violence prevention. This alignment will streamline DND/CAF prevention and resolution strategies, policies, training, and service delivery with the aim of supporting a healthy, safe, and inclusive workplace for all Defence Team members.

It will simplify the process for employees/members who experience or witness harassment and violence in the workplace to report it. By providing easier ways to report occurrences, informal means to resolving it and a streamlined process to investigate it, the Defence Team will have better means to prevent it from recurring.

Having a unified policy approach across the Defence Team will provide consistency in the application and use of the WHVP Program. It will also strengthen services and support by consolidating resources and expertise in one single program.

This policy update responds to Recommendation 3 of the Independent External Comprehensive Review which stated that “…relevant CAF policies should adopt the Canada Labour Code definition of harassment.”

What do Defence Team members need to do to support the change?

All Defence Team members are required to complete the mandatory training, Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention (available through Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)) within the first 3 months of employment and at least once every three years.

Courses:

• Preventing Harassment and Violence in the Workplace for Employees (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) – Mandatory for all Defence Team members.
• Preventing Harassment in the Workplace for Managers and Health and Safety Committees course (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) – Mandatory for Managers, chain of command, and Health and Safety Committees.

CAF chain of command can familiarize themselves with the current versions of DAOD 5014-0, specifically the definition of harassment and violence, and the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Policy Manual. Revised versions of these documents and other information and resources will be posted when the change comes into effect on March 1, 2025.

Have any questions or feedback?

The WHVP Centre of Expertise within the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture organization will be offering information sessions throughout the winter of 2025 and will be available to answer questions about the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Program. More details on these sessions will be available in January 2025.

CAF members who are looking for support in submitting a formal complaint or to deal with any type of workplace conflict can contact their local Conflict and Complaint Management Services office.