Workplace violence poses real, legitimate threat

By Brent Fox

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com



It’s time to stop violence in the workplace and realize that parents and clients’ families can contribute to such violence.

The Coalition Against Workplace Violence panel was at Kingstec in Kentville Wednesday evening, Jan. 23 to hear input from local workers.

The panel included Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union president Mary-Lou Donnelly; NSGEU president Joan Jessom; Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union president Janet Hazelton; and CUPE Nova Scotia president Danny Cavanagh. They said that workplace violence is not part of the job and is not acceptable.

Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent has released a discussion paper on the matter, inviting public input.

The Coalition seeks stronger definitions of workplace violence and better enforcement than what is apparently the case in upcoming legislation. The definition should include things such as bullying and intimidation.



Many clients strike out

A Valley nursing home worker and CUPE member said that the structure of such facilities lend to ongoing violence toward workers. Many clients strike out in response. As well, there needs to be better communications between medical and support staff on the state of particular patients so that a worker doesn’t walk unexpectedly into a situation.

At the same time, he said, workers question if their own approach may have caused the incident. Ultimately, it all leads to stress, time off and Workers’ Compensation claims.

A South Shore veterans’ unit nurse said that one patient caused six Workers’ Compensations claims. Veterans being allowed to drink alcohol in the unit is also an issue for worker safety.

And families will often demand a new doctor and withhold permission to medicate, the nurse said.

A female home support worker noted, “we have to deal with every member of the client’s family in that home.”

A female rehab worker noted that clients know when male staff leave the facility, and act up. If charges are laid against the client, he comes back from court with an even worse attitude.

However, several union members in the audience made it clear that workers currently have the right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions. They have to make the refusal specific; don’t just fail to turn up for work.



New form of harassment

In schools, things aren’t much different. A long-time Valley teacher said there’s a new form of harassment happening. “A parent can ring. A parent can call you every night. They can threaten you.”

Parents will threaten to call other parents of children in the class, the teacher said. You don’t know if that parent is going to be at the school the next morning or if you should open your e-mail. It’s stressful.

“And then you’re not a good teacher…. This is happening to more and more of my colleagues. It’s quiet, it’s hidden, but it’s there.”

A South Shore vice principal who has been injured by a student said that teachers are encouraged to be in communication with parents. “It’s drilled into us, ‘it’s really important to communicate with parents.’”

The panel made it clear that their concerns are for all workers, not just private sector.

Cavanagh said, “this is a culture shift. This is a huge community issue.”

Hazelton said, “this legislation is going to be extremely expensive to put in place, but we don’t care.” All workers need protection from violence.

Jessom said the time is right now -- after years of waiting for it -- because of the minority government situation and the increasing costs of stress medications for workers. “It will be an election issue. It’s going to require pressure, but they will respond to pressure.”