All employees must be informed of workplace policies and trained to implement them. Training on harassment and violence prevention helps build a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace, reducing harm and improving morale, productivity, and retention.
Legal Compliance
In Nova Scotia, the employer is legally obligated to provide its employees training in harassment and violence awareness, reporting, investigations, and prevention processes.
Nova Scotia's workplace harassment regulations, effective September 1, 2025, stipulate that employers must establish a written policy and provide mandatory training to all employees regarding that policy. This training should address definitions of harassment, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, confidentiality, and non-retaliation measures, with sessions required at the time of hiring and at regular intervals thereafter.
Scroll down this webpage to access training videos, posters, and other awareness materials trucking industry employers can use as a part of their Harassment and Violence Prevention Awareness and Training campaign.
Additionally, Nova Scotia mandates that employers deliver initial and ongoing (such as annual) training on their Violence Prevention Policy. This training must encompass recognizing violence and harassment, proper reporting procedures, and a thorough understanding of the employer’s specific prevention strategy. Employers are responsible for ensuring all staff understand their roles in risk identification, de-escalation techniques, and responding appropriately to incidents, in accordance with the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act and associated regulations.
Key Legislation & Regulations
-
An Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety: This Act mandates a duty for employers to prevent harassment.
-
Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (Part 27): These regulations detail employer obligations for harassment prevention, effective September 1, 2025.
-
Nova Scotia Human Rights Act: Prohibits discrimination and harassment (especially sexual harassment) in areas like employment, housing, and services based on protected characteristics (e.g., race, gender, disability).
-
Violence in the Workplace Regulations: In Nova Scotia, violence in the workplace regulations is mandated under the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety through the Violence in the Workplace Regulations (N.S. Reg. 209/2007). These regulations are designed to guide employers in identifying, assessing, and managing the risk of violence to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Training Videos
All workplace parties must understand their rights, roles and responsibilities regarding Harassment and Violence Prevention in the Workplace. The NSTSA has created 4 training videos that trucking companies can use in their training. These training videos are specifically tied to NSTSA’s combined policy for both Harassment and Violence Prevention.
Please see Harassment Policies and Violence Prevention Statement
Watch the training video, then take the quiz to check your understanding.
Score 80% or higher and you’ll receive a NSTSA certificate!
Harassment and Violence Prevention in Nova Scotia Workplaces: Regulatory Compliance and Best Practices for Employers
This training video has been developed for employers and their representatives (managers and supervisors) as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It highlights the key responsibilities of the employer with respect to providing a harassment and violence-free work environment for ALL employees.
Harassment and Violence: Responding to Occurrence Reports
According to Nova Scotia legislation, harassment and violence is a health and safety hazard. Employees are responsible to report any occurrence to their direct supervisor, OHS Committee or representative, or a person designated by the employer. Anyone in the workplace who is responsible to receive these reports must be trained in the appropriate procedures. This training is developed for supervisors and designated recipients of Harassment and Violence incident reports and outlines the specific steps necessary to address these reports and ensure a safe and supportive environment for all employees.
Investigation Overview: Conducting a Fair and Impartial Process
This training video is designed to assist employers and their representatives in conducting unbiased investigations. It is important to note that this training provides guidance to an investigator regarding the steps to take when investigating and is not considered training in investigator techniques. When choosing an investigator, employers must ensure that the investigator is unbiased, competent in investigation techniques and familiar with Nova Scotia’s laws as it pertains to both Harassment and Violence in the Workplace.
Additional Training Resources
-
The NSTSA offers a variety of hands on, industry-related training courses for the trucking industry in Nova Scotia to assist in their health and safety obligations. Check out Training Courses We Offer or contact Tina for any training inquiries/needs via email: safety-coordinator@nstsa.ca or Phone: (782) 414-0733
-
The Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic (THRSC), in association with Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI), and the Association of Industry Sector Councils (AISC), offers a Certificate in Inclusive Leadership program Certificate in Inclusive Leadership program for leaders in the trucking industry. This eight-week program is designed to assist leaders in the trucking industry grow their inclusive leadership capabilities and lead inclusive change in their organizations.
-
The THRSC Atlantic also offers a Supervisory Development Program. This 10-week, industry specific training has been designed to offer supervisors and managers an overview of the specific competencies needed to be an effective supervisor. Some topics include goal setting, effective communication, intercultural competency, problem solving, conflict management and OHS training for the supervisor.
-
The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Safety Branch sponsors Occupational health and safety courses through the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
Nova Scotians can take up to 8 courses each year for free. You don’t need to take all 8 at once.
You can register for courses on the CCOHS Nova Scotia OHS Training site.
-
WCB Nova Scotia offers webinars, training and events for Nova Scotia employers designed to strengthen the skills of workers and leaders in psychological health and safety benefits for both employees and the workplace. Check out WCB’s webpage entitled Webinars, Training and Events.
