$1.7 million to train servers about sexual harassment

New regulations set to improve workplace safety

A $1.7-million investment is to be put towards training workers to recognize sexual harassment and intervene when it occurs. The three-year investment aims to train workers in the hospitality, health, education, and community services sectors, the Ontario government says.

Tracy MacCharles, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues,  said in a press release the training project will empower frontline workers to step in. It will “give them the tools to do so safely and effectively,” she said.

Ontario passed the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act earlier this year.

“In Ontario, everyone should be free from the threat of sexual harassment at work. We are all entitled to feel safe and be safe while working,” Labour Minister Kevin Flynn said in a press release then.

Former Swiss Chalet employee Amy Luc says this is great news.

“I’ve worked as a waitress before and this is comforting to hear,” Luc says. “Especially nowadays when there’s no way to tell what someone might do. Knowing that people are trained to look out for you is nice.”

Jordon McCalla who dines out frequently says these new investments make him feel safer.

“It’s not that I’ve always felt unsafe whenever I eat out, but knowing that the servers are there looking out for not just themselves, but the customers as well, makes me feel even more safe than I do now,” McCalla says.

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Posted: Sep 14 2016 3:25 pm
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