Each year, many employers take advantage of the holiday season
to thank their employees by organizing an event. The festive and
friendly atmosphere of such an event may be conducive to situations
of discrimination or harassment. As such, it is important for
employers to take the necessary precautions in order to avoid
complaints and potential liability.
The Act Respecting Labour
Standards of Quebec imposes on employers the
obligation to prevent psychological harassment and to put a stop to
any such behaviour which is brought to its attention. This
obligation extends to all social events organized by an employer,
notwithstanding the hour or the location of the event. Several
measures may be taken before the event in order to reduce the risk
of situations of harassment, namely :
