Harassment and Workplace Violence: What Recent Case Law Teaches Us

In an article published by Thomson Reuters, our partners Catherine Deslauriers and Marc-André Groulx examine a significant court decision that sets a precedent for addressing sexual violence in the workplace.

As employers encounter growing challenges to safety in the workplace, this recent ruling has strengthened the legal framework for combating sexual violence - inside and outside the company premises.

In the fall of 2024, a food industry company secured a permanent injunction to protect its employees from the threatening behaviour of a former colleague. This case establishes a legal precedent by recognizing sexual violence in the workplace.

Highlighting the various injunctions obtained by the employer against the individual, the article also emphasizes on the increased responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which mandates measures to prevent and address aggression including that which may come from third parties. With tools like injunctions, employers have a stronger framework to ensure a safe and respectful working environment.

This article was originally published in La référence RH by Thomson Reuters, under citation EYB2025BRH2758.

To learn more, read the full article.