Risk Alert! How to Mitigate Workplace Violence and Get Better Insurance Rates
Are you a business owner in Saskatchewan? There's new legislation you need to know about! In this episode of Risky Business Commercial Insurance, host Paul Martin is joined by commercial risk reduction specialist Colin Rooke of Butler Buyers, along with Grant Douziech and Sherry Timmerman from Apex Performance Consultants, to discuss the mandatory workplace violence policy and prevention plan.
Since May 2024, every employer in Saskatchewan is required to have this plan in place under The Saskatchewan Employment Act. We dive into:
The Mandate: Why the Saskatchewan government extended this protection to all employers and contractors, not just high-risk industries.
The Insurance Angle: How having a proper plan implemented can help you secure better coverage and rates with your insurance provider, especially for employment practices liability.
Employer Obligations: What the legislation requires, including investigation procedures for any violent incidents.
Defining 'Violence': Understanding that it can include verbal threats and heated arguments, not just physical harm.
Next Steps: Resources for businesses feeling overwhelmed and how experts can help implement the required policy and plan.
Don't wait for litigation—get proactive about your risk management!
Guests:
Colin Rooke, Commercial Risk Reduction Specialist, Butler Buyers
Grant Douziech, Apex Performance Consultants
Sherry Timmerman, Apex Performance Consultants
00:00 – Introduction & why this issue is flying under the radar
00:45 – What “workplace violence” actually includes (it’s broader than you think)
02:10 – New Saskatchewan legislation explained
03:55 – Why every employer is now required to comply
05:10 – Industries that triggered the legislative change
06:35 – Why most business owners don’t know this exists
07:45 – The compliance gap facing small and mid-sized businesses
09:10 – Insurance implications: employment practices liability
10:45 – How insurers view businesses without a prevention plan
12:05 – What a violence prevention plan must include
13:30 – Incident reporting, investigations, and documentation
15:05 – Real-world examples that qualify as workplace violence
16:45 – How risk reduction strengthens your insurance position
18:00 – Final takeaways for business owners
