Purpose

IMPACT OF COVID 19

Domestic violence often rises following disasters. With the global restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Canadian organizations have raised concerns about a resulting increase in domestic violence. DOWNLOAD HERE

The Employment Security Alliance for Vulnerable Immigrant Women is an information portal for employers and individuals. It is designed to help individuals and employers recognize and respond to domestic violence in the workplace. The website includes processes and sample documents for employers to develop a comprehensive policy to support employees in the workplace.

KEY OBJECTIVES
• Employer awareness and compliance with workplace legislative requirements
• Build resilience among immigrant women that have experienced domestic violence
• Resources and information for employers to support the employability of immigrant women
• Awareness of employment barriers in the workplace that affect immigrant women that have experienced domestic violence
• Culturally sensitive policies and procedures
• Recognize champions/leaders for awareness and response to domestic violence in the workplace

LEGISLATION

ALBERTA LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT

In Alberta, the Occupational Health and Safety Code includes a provision for “domestic violence” in Part 27, “Violence and Harassment” section 390.3.

DEFINITION

Under the OHS Act, “violence” is defined as any threatened, attempted, or actual conduct of a person (whether at a work site or work-related) that causes or is likely to cause physical or psychological injury or harm and includes domestic or sexual violence."

Domestic violence is "the attempt, act or intent of someone within a relationship, where the relationship is characterized by intimacy, dependency or trust to engage in purposeful controlling or coercive pattern of which takes place over time in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another."

KEY INFORMATION

Domestic violence is included in the definition of violence in the Alberta OHS Act.
If an employer knows that a domestic violence incident might come into the workplace, they must take steps to protect workers.
Workers must report to their employer or supervisor if they think domestic violence might be, or is, occurring at the worksite.