On October 28, 2014, the Board of Education approved Draft Policy 4116.2 (Respectful Workplace) for distribution to reference groups for input: 2014.10.29 Policy 4116.2 to reference groups

This policy has been developed in compliance with changes to legislation. Specifically, the Workers Compensation Act requires employers to:

Develop a policy statement with respect to workplace bullying and harassment not being acceptable or tolerated.
Take steps to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment.
Develop and implement procedures for workers to report incidents or complaints of workplace bullying and harassment, including how, when and to whom a worker should report incidents or complaints.
Develop and implement procedures for how the employer will deal with incidents or complaints of workplace bullying and harassment.
Inform workers of the policy and procedures.
Train supervisors and workers on recognizing the potential for bullying and harassment, responding to bullying and harassment, and the procedures for reporting incidents.
Annually review the policy and procedures with employees.
This policy is intended to replace the district’s current policy on harassment, Policy 4116.1 (Harassment), which is also attached.

If you or your organization has any comments, concerns or suggestions about this policy, please forward them in writing to:

Wendy De Marsh, Executive Assistant
School District No. 57 (Prince George)
2100 Ferry Avenue
Prince George, BC V2L 4R5

or e-mail: wdemarsh@sd57.bc.ca

or fax: (250) 561-6820 or 561-6801

To help focus your input, the following questions may be considered:

How does the new policy fit with current practice?
How will the new policy affect your school/department/group?
How will the policy affect teaching, learning and student achievement?
Do you have any ideas for making the policy more effective?
Are there any areas in the policy that are unclear?
Are there significant issues that the policy should, but does not, address?
Can you foresee any difficulties posed by the implementation of the policy?
Will the policy as proposed put unreasonable demands on people or resources? If so, how?

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS January 9, 2015.