The objective of this presentation is to help employers understand, recognize and most importantly, prevent bullying and other newly recognized forms of workplace harassment. We will begin by describing:

• what constitutes bullying and psychological harassment;
• the relationship between workplace violence and bullying or psychological harassment;
• evidence on the prevalence of workplace bullying; and
• the effects of bullying on victims as well as the effects of bullying on business, including financial costs.

Discussion will include the legal and practical consequences of workplace bullying and psychological harassment. Jack will review the applicable legislation in Canada, including recent developments in Nova Scotia, relevant to this aspect of workplace harassment.

In particular, he will address the positive duty of care on employers to prevent workplace harassment and refer to recent case examples where employers suffered legal consequences for this kind of harassment in their workplaces.

The cases illustrate why a specific and tailored anti-bullying policy is required in workplaces, in addition to more general protections from discrimination and harassment on human rights grounds, emphasizing employee entitlement to a safe and healthy workplace. Jack will advise on how to develop an effective policy, and suggest a number of practices that can be applied to address and prevent bullying in the workplace.

Learning Outcomes:

• Enhanced understanding of the importance of a workplace that is free from bullying and psychological harassment.
• Improved ability to identify and respond to bullying and psychological harassment.
• Appreciation for more effective systems for addressing and preventing bullying and psychological harassment.

About the Speaker: 
Jack Graham, QC Partner, McInnes Cooper 
Jack Graham is a leading labour and employment lawyer with extensive experience in the contact centre industry in virtually all provinces of Canada. Jack is national counsel for several customer contact and technology companies in Canada. He has also been recognized as a leading practitioner in the publications of Best Lawyers In Canada and Lexpert.

Over the years Jack has advised customer contact businesses on a wide variety of employment related issues, including human rights matters, policy development, managing employee absences and disabilities, and how to respond to union organizing attempts.

Venue: 
Westin Nova Scotian Hotel 
1181 Hollis Street, Halifax

Price: 
Early Bird by December 21, 2011 
Members: $40 including HST 
Non-Members: $55 including HST

After December 21, 2011 
Members: $50 including HST 
Non-Members: $65 including HST

Agenda: 
5:00 pm: Networking Reception 
5:45 pm: Dinner