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The BCGEU/NUPGE is encouraged that the government has responded proactively with a province-wide briefing of all community corrections employees in response to this incident.
Vancouver (26 May 2016) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has been advised of a recent serious assault on a member working in community corrections.The union is encouraged that the employer notified the union of this incident in a timely manner, and the union is working collaboratively with them to complete the investigation and provide support to the affected staff.
Violence is not part of the job
The BCGEU/NUPGE’s occupational health and safety (OHS) officers will provide whatever assistance is required by the joint OHS committee at the workplace where the assault took place as they conduct their investigation. The BCGEU/NUPGE is encouraged that the government has responded proactively with a province-wide briefing of all community corrections employees.
Although probation officers sometimes work with high-risk clients, violence is not part of the job.
OHS regulations require a violence risk assessment to be conducted at all workplaces. If the risk or hazard cannot be eliminated, it must be effectively minimized to protect workers.
Contact an OHS officer for workplace health and safety questions
The BCGEU/NUPGE considers workplace safety the number one priority. The union's OHS officers provide training to build effective OHS committees that make workplaces safer. They are also available to answer any workplace health and safety questions. The OHS officers can be reached at: ohs@bcgeu.ca
The BCGEU/NUPGE will keep its members who work in community corrections informed as information becomes available on this recent assault and on the measures being taken to prevent future incidents.
More information:
View BCGEU resources to help workers prevent violence in their workplace.
View, download or order copies of the BCGEU poster “Violence is not part of your job”
Download the pocket card "You have the Right to Refuse Unsafe Work"
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE