Harassment
Harassment is unwelcome conduct or comments that a person knows or reasonably ought to know would cause another person to be humiliated or intimidated. In the workplace, it includes bullying and harassment as well as discriminatory harassment based on protected grounds such as race, sex or sexual orientation. It may give rise to employment, human rights and criminal consequences.
How BC law treats it
In BC, discriminatory harassment in employment is prohibited under the Human Rights Code, RSBC 1996, c 210, and employers must take reasonable steps to prevent and address workplace bullying and harassment under WorkSafeBC policy made under the Workers Compensation Act, RSBC 2019, c 1.
What it means for your business
Employers should have a written bullying and harassment policy, a complaint procedure and a process for investigating complaints.
Risks and common mistakes
Failing to investigate a complaint properly can expose an employer to human rights complaints, WorkSafeBC orders and constructive dismissal claims.
Browse the full Fulcrum Law Dictionary for related terms.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
