The proposed amendment to the Canada Labour Code would allow former employees to file complaints about workplace harassment and violence within two years of leaving their job, or two years after the resolution of any related incidents during their employment. This aims to provide victims more time to seek justice.
Former employees feeling intimidated or unable to report incidents immediately after leaving may benefit as they now have more time to file complaints. Employers will need to be aware of potential increases in complaints and the necessity to handle these effectively, which could affect their operations and culture.
Companies may incur higher legal and administrative costs due to the potential for more complaints and longer investigations. This could lead to an increase in employee training and support measures to deal with harassment and violence reporting. Additionally, businesses may have to devote more resources to managing these extended complaint processes, which could impact their financial bottom line.
Supporters argue this amendment is necessary for better protection of workers' rights. They believe it allows individuals to come forward with harassment claims without feeling rushed or pressured immediately after leaving a hostile work environment, thus fostering a safer workplace culture and holding employers accountable for misconduct.
Critics express concerns about the risks of increased costs and legal liabilities for employers. They worry that a longer timeframe could lead to an overload of complaints and complicate investigations due to potential fading evidence or memory lapses. This could jeopardize the fairness of the complaint process and strain company resources, ultimately affecting business operations and productivity.
That the bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.