As an employer in Ontario, you are legally responsible to ensure a safe, respectful, harassment and discrimination-free work environment for your employees. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to accomplish this is through training mandated by the Ontario government, including:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA): Violence and Harassment in the Workplace (Bill 168/132);
- Accessibility for Ontario’s with Disabilities Act (AODA);
- OHSA: Health and Safety Awareness Training for Supervisors and Employees
In addition, it is highly recommended that you manage your risk and protect your employees by offering:
- Diversity, Sensitivity and Inclusion Training: Promoting
- Anti-Discrimination and Equity in the Workplace
- Let’s understand these requirements a little better:
1. Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA): Violence and Harassment in the Workplace (Bill 168/132)
As an employer, you are required to develop and implement policies and programs to prevent, manage and respond to violence and harassment in your workplace. Key components of Workright’s training include:
- Understanding what constitutes violence and harassment in the workplace
- Recognizing the signs and potential sources of harassment
- Knowing the legally appropriate steps for (1) reporting and (2) responding to incidents
- Learning how to support affected employees and prevent further acts of violence and harassment.
2. OHSA: Health and Safety Awareness Training for Supervisors and Employees
Health and Safety Awareness training teaches employers, supervisors and workers on how to protect everyone from physical dangers and hazards in their workplace for all employees and supervisors in Ontario.
Workright’s training is designed to ensure that everyone understands their rights and responsibilities under the OHSA and knows how to identify and mitigate potential hazards in the workplace.
Training covers essential topics such as:
- The roles and responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers.
- Common workplace hazards and how to prevent injuries.
- Procedures for reporting incidents and injuries.
- The importance of personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
- Regularly updating your team on these areas helps maintain a culture of safety and compliance.
3. Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
The AODA aims to create a more accessible province for people with disabilities. As an employer, you have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure your workplace is accessible to all employees and customers by January 2025.
Key elements of AODA training include:
- Understanding the principles of accessibility and how they apply to your business.
- Learning about different types of disabilities and how to accommodate them.
- Implementing accessible customer service practices and communication methods.
Review your physical workspace for accessibility improvements.
By investing in AODA training, you contribute to a workplace that values diversity and inclusion, which can lead to greater employee satisfaction and retention.
4. Diversity, Sensitivity and Inclusion: Promoting Anti-Discrimination and Equity in the Workplace (DEI)
Workright takes a unique approach to DEI. We believe that the root of DEI is empathy and respect for everyone. Our training is engaging, self-reflective and compassionate, providing real workplace scenarios, scripts of what to say and not to say, and personal exercises to help learners realize their own biases and triggers and how to transform these into dignity, kindness and professionalism in the workplace.
Compliance Training is Not Just a Requirement. It is an Opportunity.
Staying current with mandatory compliance training is not just a legal obligation for employers in Ontario but also a commitment to creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable work environment for everyone.
By prioritizing these essential training areas, you empower your team to work safely and confidently, enhance your organization’s reputation, and contribute to a positive work culture.
Make it a priority to regularly review and update your training programs to ensure they remain effective and in line with current regulations and best practices.