Women’s safety in workplace
Women’s safety in workplace
National Council Women’s Advisory Committee (NCWAC) recently met in Calgary to discuss a number of initiatives and issues, including women’s safety, both in and outside the workplace.
John Ratcliff, program director with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters spoke on the issue of domestic violence and its “spill-over effect” on the workplace, including absenteeism and increased medical claims, as well women being tracked down at work and attacked by their estranged partners. He also reviewed a resource tool kit developed by the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) to assist employers, employees and unions in dealing with domestic violence at the workplace.
The session also included an overview of provincial legislation dealing with domestic-triggered workplace violence including Ontario Bill 168. In 2010, Bill 168 amended Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in part to recognize that workplace violence of a domestic nature exists, and holds the employer accountable for protecting against such violence at the workplace. Similar legislation now exists in other provinces under their occupational health and safety acts.
The NCWAC also heard from Suzanne Dzus who for many years has been working with women victims of violence, and is the founder of Calgary’s Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Women which takes place on February 14 each year. Suzanne praised UFCW Canada Local 401 for their participation and promotion of the march. Joining Sister Dzus for her presentation was national representative Devin Yeager who has been a member of the Memorial March’s planning committee since 2009.
(PRESS RELEASE)
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