If you become aware of unsafe or unhealthy conditions at the workplace and report it to someone at work or to WorkSafeBC, you are raising a health or safety issue. If you do so, you are legally exercising a right or carrying out a duty under the Workers Compensation Act.
It is illegal for an employer to penalize you for raising a health or safety issue at work. If you experience negative actions from your employer after raising a health and safety concern, you can submit a prohibited action (formerly known as a discriminatory action) complaint.
Prohibited action takes place when these three elements are present:
- You notice a health and safety issue at your workplace
- You raise the issue with your employer (or union) or WorkSafeBC; and
- Your employer takes a negative action because you reported the issue
- Examples of a negative action towards you by an employer are:
- You are suspended or laid off, or your job is eliminated
- You are demoted or an opportunity for promotion is taken away
- Your duties are transferred to someone else
- You are sent to another work site
- Your wages are reduced or your working hours are changed
- You are coerced or intimidated in some way
- You are disciplined, reprimanded or penalized in any way
If you believe you have been subjected to a prohibited action, please contact Gavin Slade-Kerr at hs@surreyteachers.org.
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