3 Basic Rights
Rights of Employees
The Canada Labour Code gives you the following rights:
Right to Know
You have the right to be informed of known or foreseeable hazards in the workplace and to be provided with the information, instructions, training, and supervision necessary to protect your health and safety.
The Code requires the use of appropriate methods of communication for all employees including those with special needs. Such methods are Braille, large print, audiotapes, sign language, and oral communication.
In addition, you are given the right to have access to government or employer reports related to the health and safety of employees through your policy health and safety committee, workplace health and safety committee or health and safety representative.
Right to Participate
As health and safety representatives or workplace health and safety committee or policy health and safety committee members, employees have the right to participate in identifying and correcting work-related health and safety concerns.
Employers with 300 or more employees are required to establish a policy health and safety committee. The purpose of the committee is to handle issues that are organization-wide in nature.
Part II of the Code also provides for employee participation through the use of an internal complaint resolution process.
Right to Refuse
You have the right to refuse to work if you have reasonable cause to believe that: your workplace presents a danger to you;
• the use or operation of a machine or apparatus presents a danger to you or to another employee; and
• the performance of an activity constitutes a danger to you or to another employee.
In order for you to be protected by the Code when exercising your right to refuse to do dangerous work, you must follow the proper procedure.
The Canada Labour Code gives you the following rights:
Right to Know
You have the right to be informed of known or foreseeable hazards in the workplace and to be provided with the information, instructions, training, and supervision necessary to protect your health and safety.
The Code requires the use of appropriate methods of communication for all employees including those with special needs. Such methods are Braille, large print, audiotapes, sign language, and oral communication.
In addition, you are given the right to have access to government or employer reports related to the health and safety of employees through your policy health and safety committee, workplace health and safety committee or health and safety representative.
Right to Participate
As health and safety representatives or workplace health and safety committee or policy health and safety committee members, employees have the right to participate in identifying and correcting work-related health and safety concerns.
Employers with 300 or more employees are required to establish a policy health and safety committee. The purpose of the committee is to handle issues that are organization-wide in nature.
Part II of the Code also provides for employee participation through the use of an internal complaint resolution process.
Right to Refuse
You have the right to refuse to work if you have reasonable cause to believe that: your workplace presents a danger to you;
• the use or operation of a machine or apparatus presents a danger to you or to another employee; and
• the performance of an activity constitutes a danger to you or to another employee.
In order for you to be protected by the Code when exercising your right to refuse to do dangerous work, you must follow the proper procedure.