Occupational Health and Safety Reprisals

 

It is against the law for your employer to threaten or punish you because you followed workplace health and safety laws or tried to enforce them.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is the Ontario law that protects workers from health and safety hazards at work. If your employer threatens or imposes a penalty on you because you followed the OHSA or tried to have it enforced, it is called a reprisal. Reprisals are against the law.

Reprisals Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

If your employer has threatened or punished you for following workplace health and safety laws or trying to enforce them, you can file a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). If the OLRB decides that your employer has broken the law, it can order your employer to pay your lost wages or give you your job back.

Enforcing Your Rights

If you think you have been the victim of an occupational health and safety reprisal and you are not a member of a union, the OWA can help by giving you advice, representing you or referring you to other sources of help.

To speak to someone who can give you advice or information over the phone, please call 1-855-659-7744 (toll free) or 416-212-5335.

How the OWA Can Help

January 2013
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This publication contains general information only. It is not legal advice about a particular situation and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified representative. This publication was last updated on the revision date listed above.