About the IRWO

Educating, advising, coaching, and resolving
to support a respectful workplace

Background

In July 2021, the Legislative Assembly Management Committee (LAMC) of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (LABC) adopted the current version of the Respectful Workplace Policy. In the Legislative Assembly of BC, people from different Participant Groups regularly interact and work together. Each Group is guided by its own distinct workplace conduct policies. However, it is important to have a common standard (the Respectful Workplace Policy) which governs interactions between Participants of different Groups and applicable procedures to follow when concerns arise.

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The IRWO’s Role

The role of the Independent Respectful Workplace Office (IRWO) is to administer the Policy and provide a variety of services that support a respectful workplace:

  • Education on respect in the workplace

  • Advice on the Respectful Workplace Policy and its implementation

  • Coaching on how to respond to incidents

  • Mediation and supported dialogues to informally resolve the issues

  • Investigations to formally resolve the issues

The IRWO, as an independent body, is positioned to help resolve and, if necessary, investigate any concerns or complaints raised about interactions in the Legislative Assembly which involve Participants from different Participant Groups. While not its core function, the IRWO may also be able to assist Participants from the same Participant Group in some circumstances.

Participant Groups

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are the democratically elected members of the BC NDP, BC United, BC Green Party, and Conservative Party of BC, as well as Independent(s). They are governed by the workplace policies and procedures of their respective parties.

Caucus staff members are those who work for the MLAs and are employed by the parties. Examples include political strategists and communications experts. They are governed by the workplace policies and procedures of their respective parties.

Political staff members are those who work for the governing party (such as for the Premier and the Ministers) and have political roles. Examples include Ministerial Advisors and Ministerial Executive Assistants. They are hired by the Government of BC and as such, are governed by political staff and Government of BC policies and procedures.

Legislative Assembly employees (Administration) are those who work for the LABC in non-political positions. Examples include librarians, security guards, financial officers, and IT specialists. They are governed by LABC policies and procedures.

Policy Principles

The Respectful Workplace Policy outlines the following principles:

  • Participants of the Respectful Workplace Policy have the right to work in a respectful environment where their contributions are valued and they are treated in a professional manner, with dignity and fairness

  • All Participants understand disrespectful behaviour, harassment, discrimination, and violence will not be tolerated

  • Participants are held accountable for their behaviour, regardless of their intentions

  • All Participants are to be informed of their rights and responsibilities under the Policy and know how to access services and supports when needed

  • Managers and supervisors understand their duties and know how to respond appropriately to complaints of disrespectful behaviour, harassment, discrimination, or violence

  • All Participants understand that they have a responsibility to report an alleged breach of this Policy