Workplace Violence Policy

1.0 Policy Statement

The Toronto Transit Commission (“TTC”) is committed to providing a safe work environment and service that is free from violence or the threat of violence. The TTC will not tolerate any actual, attempted or threatened violence against or by any employee or member of the public utilizing TTC services.

2.0 Purpose

This policy is intended to: 

• Create and foster a work environment free from workplace violence;
• Provide a definition of workplace violence; 
• Establish and detail the responsibilities of all employees in TTC to maintain a workplace free from actual, attempted or threatened violence;
• Ensure that incidents of workplace violence are reported to TTC management and Police Services as appropriate; and
• Ensure that incidents of workplace violence are investigated in a timely manner by the TTC.

3.0 Application

3.1 This policy applies to all employees, including all full-time and part-time employees, temporary, casual employees, and employees on leave of absence. This policy also applies to all persons who attend a TTC workplace including, but not limited to, TTC's contractors, volunteers, students, and members of the public utilizing TTC services.

3.2 Employees who engage in conduct that contravenes the Criminal Code; the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and/or this policy will be disciplined, up to and including dismissal. 

3.3 Any employee who has authority to appropriately prevent, discourage, or intervene against workplace violence will be held responsible for failing to exercise this authority. However, no one is expected to act in a way which puts his/her own personal safety at risk.  

3.4 This policy is subject to annual review, and modifications will be made as deemed necessary to respond to current conditions and evolving needs.

4.0 Definition of Workplace Violence

4.1 Workplace Violence is any:

• exercise of physical force by or against an employee in the workplace that causes or could cause physical injury;
• attempt to exercise physical force by or against an employee in the workplace that could have  caused physical injury; or
• statement(s) or behaviour(s) that is reasonable to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force by or against the employee that could cause physical injury.  

Examples of workplace violence include, but are not limited to: pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching, spitting, assault, sexual assault, the attempt or threat of an assault, threatening the use of a weapon, unlawfully possessing or carrying a weapon while on duty, comments or jokes about causing harm to an employee or person, stalking or criminal harassment, and physical intimidation, bullying, mobbing, or threatening gestures. Such behaviours may be verbal, written, a gesture or an expression, or an outright physical act. 

4.2 Sexual assault is any physical contact made of a sexual nature that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. Sexual assault may include, but is not limited to, any unwanted physical contact such as touching, kissing, patting, massaging, fondling or pinching.

5.0 Supervisory Actions

Appropriate supervisory actions including, but not limited to, directing or assigning of work, performance counselling, employee performance appraisals, or discipline, are not considered workplace violence.

6.0 Roles and Responsibilities

6.1 Employee Responsibilities 

All employees are responsible for:

• reading and understanding the requirements and  obligations of this policy;
• upholding the principles set out in this policy;
• not engaging in violent acts against any persons;
• maintaining a safe work environment; 
• not engaging in or ignoring violent, threatening, intimidating or other disruptive behaviours; 
• acting respectfully towards others;  
• co-operating with all efforts to investigate and resolve matters that violate this policy;
• immediately reporting all incidents of violence to the Transit Control Centre;
• reporting promptly to their supervisor any and all incidents where the employee is subjected to, witnesses, or has knowledge of workplace violence or  has reason to believe that workplace violence may occur; and,
• preventing and reporting acts of violence that threaten or perceive to threaten a safe work environment. 

6.2 Supervisory Responsibilities

All supervisors and managers are responsible for:

• upholding the principles set out in this policy;
• communicating and educating employees on this policy;
• educating employees on workplace violence risks and hazard controls specific to their work location; 
• not engaging in any behaviour contrary to this policy;
• not allowing or condoning any behaviour contrary to this policy;
• conducting Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (“HIRAs”) that identify the potential  risks of workplace violence based on the nature of the work and the work environment; 
• reviewing and updating the HIRAs in respect of workplace violence, and providing copies to the  relevant Joint Health and Safety Committee (“JHSC”);
• implementing hazard controls to eliminate or minimize workplace violence risk as identified through HIRAs or investigations;
• responding to employee concerns related to workplace violence; 
• immediately reporting all incidents of violence to Transit Control;
• reporting all workplace violence incidents to the Human Rights Unit, Employee Relations Section of the Human Resources Department, Special Constable  Services Department and the Safety Department; 
• investigating incidents and complaints of workplace violence in a timely manner;
• ensuring that the Co-Chair of the relevant JHSC is informed of an incident of workplace violence within four (4) days of the incident occurring;
• responding to work refusals in accordance with the TTC's Work Refusal Process;
• documenting details of the incident(s) of violence, investigative actions taken, outcomes and remedies;
• taking prompt action to resolve situations; and
• imposing discipline on employees that engage in violent conduct or behaviour. 

6.3 Safety Department's Responsibilities

The Safety Department is responsible for: 

• upholding the principles set out in this policy; 
• providing education and training to all employees on the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
• providing assistance to supervisors and management in conducting HIRAs that identify workplace violence hazards, and how to eliminate or minimize those risks;
• conducting audits to ensure management reviews and updates its HIRAs in respect of workplace violence; 
• reporting on the risks of violence identified in the  completed HIRAs and workplace violence hazard assessments to management, the JHSC and the Human Rights Unit;
• recommending and assisting in the implementation of controls to minimize the risks of workplace violence identified from the HIRAs;
• attending at and conducting the investigation of work refusals involving workplace violence;
• liaising with the Ministry of Labour during their investigations or inspections related to workplace violence, including work refusals; and 
• participating in the review of this policy for continuous improvement.

6.4 Joint Health and Safety Committee's Responsibilities

The JHSCs are responsible for:

• upholding the principles set out in this policy;
• reviewing the HIRAs and the workplace violence hazard assessments;
• providing recommendations to management to reduce or eliminate the risk of violence;
• recommending corrective measures for the improvement of the health and safety of workers;
• responding to work refusals; and,
• responding to employee concerns related to workplace violence and communicating these concerns to management. 

6.5 Transit Control's Responsibilities

Transit Control are responsible for:

• upholding the principles set out in this policy; 
• responding immediately to all workplace violence related calls by immediately despatching the appropriate Police Services, emergency personnel as required, Special Constable Services, and
• TTC supervisory personnel to the site; and 
• notifying the Human Rights Unit, Employee Relations, Special Constable Services and Safety of all incidents of workplace violence.

6.6 Special Constable Services' Responsibilities

Special Constable Services are responsible for:

• upholding the principles set out in this policy;
• responding to, and conducting preliminary investigations into, workplace violence incidents between employees, determining the threat level and securing the scene;
• co-ordinating police response and conducting investigations into workplace violence incidents of a criminal nature by or against employees, where police have not been immediately despatched by Transit Control;
• on request by the Workplace Violence Response Team, co-ordinating or conducting formal workplace violence threat assessments;
• on request by the Workplace Violence Response Team, preparing and implementing protection plans and/or security alerts;
• communicating protection plans to the Workplace Violence Response Team and management of the affected area;
• on request by the Safety Department, recommending and assisting in the implementation of controls to minimize the risks of workplace violence identified by HIRAs; and,
• on request of the Human Rights Unit, providing security statistical reports on all incidents of violence committed against employees to management, Safety, Employee Relations, and the Human Rights Unit, to assist with workplace violence hazard assessments.

6.7 Human Rights Unit's Responsibilities

The Human Rights Unit is responsible for:

• upholding the principles set out in this policy;
• promoting compliance with this policy;
• responding to complaints of workplace violence between employees in a sensitive and timely manner;
• investigating or co-ordinating investigations into incidents of workplace violence between employees;
• chairing the Workplace Violence Response Team;
• maintaining accurate records of all reported workplace violence incidents between TTC employees; and
• reviewing reports from the Safety Department on results of workplace violence hazard assessments, and the effectiveness of controls implemented to minimize or eliminate the risks of workplace violence.

6.8 Human Resources Department's Responsibilities

The Human Resources Department is responsible for:

• upholding the principles set out in this policy;
• educating employees on the requirements of this policy;
• providing education and training to all employees on what constitutes workplace violence, and how to prevent acts of violence;
• informing the Human Rights Unit of grievances involving workplace violence that are filed by staff or under the collective agreements;
• providing information about an employee with a history of violent behaviour to appropriate supervisory personnel and the Human Rights Unit, if:
  • other employee(s) can be expected to encounter that person in the course of his or her work; and
  • the risk of workplace violence is likely to expose an employee(s) to physical injury;
• advising management staff on appropriate corrective  action and discipline that arises from an employee’s violation of this policy; and
• participating in the review of this policy for continuous improvement. 

6.9 Training Department's Responsibilities

The Training Department in the Operations Branch is responsible for:

• upholding the principles set out in this policy; 
• educating employees on the requirements of this policy;
• providing education and training to employees on what constitutes workplace violence, how to prevent acts of violence, or becoming a victim of violence; and 
• providing education and training to all employees on the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

7.0 Reporting Incidents of Workplace Violence

7.1 Any employee or supervisor who has been threatened, becomes aware of, witnesses, or has been involved in a workplace violence incident, must immediately notify Transit Control at 3-5-5-5 (emergency) or 3-4-4-4 (non-emergency). If Transit Control cannot be immediately contacted, dial (9) 9-1-1. A follow-up call to Transit Control must be made as soon as possible thereafter. Transit Control will immediately dispatch the appropriate Police Services and/or emergency personnel as required, Special Constable Services and TTC supervisory personnel.

7.2 Any employee who observes, becomes aware of, or has been involved in a workplace violence incident shall also notify their supervisor as soon as possible after notifying Transit Control. The TTC supervisor notified of the workplace violence incident shall inform the appropriate department head of the incident. 

7.3 Any employee who is a victim of a criminal act may also directly contact the appropriate Police Services to lay criminal charges. 

7.4 The TTC supervisor and/or Special Constable Services shall ensure there is no escalation of the situation and the safety of all involved is protected.

7.5 All incidents of workplace violence must be recorded in writing by the reporting person or employee, or by Special Constable Services and/or the TTC supervisor responding to the incident or receiving the complaint, even in circumstances where the Police are conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. The date, time, location, potential witnesses, and nature of the complaint or incident should be documented (See Workplace Violence Incident Report Form).

7.6 All incidents of workplace violence must be reported to the appropriate management staff from the affected work location, the Human Rights Unit, Special Constable Services, Safety, and Employee Relations, by promptly forwarding a copy of the completed Workplace Violence Incident Report to each department head.

8.0 Investigation of Incidents of Workplace Violence

8.1 All reported incidents of workplace violence will be promptly investigated. Based on the nature and circumstances of each incident, the investigation may be conducted by the appropriate Police Services, Special Constable Services, the supervisor or management staff of the affected area, the Human Rights Unit, Safety and/or by an external investigator.

8.2 Where the perpetrator of workplace violence is a member of the public, Special Constable Services will co-ordinate the police response as required, and conduct the investigation into the incident.

8.3 Where the perpetrator of workplace violence is an employee, management or the Human Rights Unit will conduct an investigation of the incident. The investigation will include: 

• a documented interview with the complainant or victim;
• a documented interview with the alleged respondent(s);
• a documented interview with witnesses;
• any other step the investigator deems necessary to fully and fairly investigate the complaint or incident; and
• a written report of the results of the investigation to be provided to Employee Relations and the Human Rights Unit.

8.4 In circumstances where an employee may be criminally charged, or has been charged, and has refused to participate in an investigation, the TTC remains obligated to continue with its investigation and will make findings based on the information available to it at that time.

8.5 Pending the completion of an investigation, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the workplace is free from violence. Such measures may include an employee alleged of engaging in an act of workplace violence being transferred to another work location, re-assigned duties, suspended, and/or relieved of duty.  Management should consult with Employee Relations to determine the most appropriate course of action pending the completion of an investigation.

8.6 Once an investigation is complete, management should consult with Employee Relations prior to taking any disciplinary action based on the results of an investigation.

9.0 Work Refusals

Any work refusal that arises from an incident of workplace violence must be reported to Transit Control and shall be investigated by the supervisor, the member of the JHSC and/or Safety in accordance with the TTC's Work Refusal Process.

10.0 Workplace Violence Response Team

10.1 The Workplace Violence Response Team consists of management staff from the affected work location, the Human Rights Unit, Safety, Employee Relations, the Occupational Health and Claims Management Section of the Human Resources Department, and the TTC's Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP). If requested, Special Constable Services will assist the Workplace Violence Response Team as referenced in Section 6.6 of this policy.

10.2 When circumstances warrant, and certainly in all emergencies, the Human Rights Unit will promptly call a meeting of the Workplace Violence Response Team, and together the team will formulate an action plan to address the risks associated with the incident of workplace violence and the short-term and long-term resolution options. Circumstances that would warrant such a meeting include, but are not limited to, dealing with an incident of violence requiring ongoing attention; identifying persons with a history of violent behaviour; or addressing situations with the potential to escalate into more serious workplace violence.

11.0 Domestic Violence

11.1 Any employee experiencing domestic violence outside of the workplace that may create a risk of danger to themselves or others in the workplace is encouraged to report such violence to their supervisor or to the Human Rights Unit so that all reasonable preventative steps can be taken to ensure the safety of employees.

11.2 Supervisors who have a reasonable belief that an employee may be a victim of domestic violence outside of the workplace that may create a risk of danger to themselves or others in the workplace must take every reasonable precaution to protect the employee. Supervisors must also notify the Human Rights Unit and Employee Relations of any such reasonable belief. In the event of an emergency, the supervisor must immediately notify Transit Control at 3-5-5-5.

12.0 Remedial Action

All employees involved or affected by a workplace violence incident should be offered support from the EFAP, together with any other remedial measures deemed appropriate by TTC. 

13.0 Time Limits

A complaint alleging an incident of violence that occurred more than twelve (12) months prior, or if there were a series of incidents, within twelve (12) months after the last incident in the series, will be dismissed, unless the Human Rights Unit is satisfied that the delay was incurred in good faith.

14.0 Bad Faith Complaints

14.1  It is a violation of this policy to put forward a vexatious and/or bad faith complaint. These include complaints that are filed:

• without reasonable grounds;
• with the intention to embarrass or harass; and/or
• with no factual basis. 

14.2  If it is proven in an investigation that an employee made a complaint in bad faith and/or the complaint was frivolous or vexatious, he or she will be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal.

15.0 Reprisal

Any person who reports an incident, or acts as a witness in good faith, is protected from reprisal, the threat of reprisal, and/or further violence. Reprisal is defined as any act of retaliation, either direct or indirect, in both work and service environments. Any employee who engages in reprisal against anyone who has filed a complaint or who is co-operating in an investigation of a complaint will be disciplined up to and including dismissal. 

16.0 Confidentiality and Records

16.1 To protect all parties involved in an investigation of an incident of violence, strict confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigation process to the extent practicable and appropriate under the circumstances.

Information may be disclosed: 

• to protect the safety of employees, the public and/or contractors; and
• where required by law, for example, pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act; in arbitration proceedings, proceedings before the Human Rights Tribunal, or criminal proceedings.

16.2  If an investigation results in discipline, only the disciplinary documents will be placed in the respondent's employee personnel and work location files.