Workplace harassment policy for Quebec: the rules and a free template
Every Quebec employer must take reasonable action to prevent psychological harassment, stop it when they become aware of it, and adopt and make available to employees a policy on preventing psychological harassment and handling complaints. The policy must cover set content, including how you identify and control harassment risks (with a section on behaviour of a sexual nature), training, conduct at work-related social activities, and how complaints are handled. CNESST says that as of 1 October 2025 the policy must also form part of your health and safety prevention program or action plan.
What the law requires in Quebec
| The law | Act respecting labour standards, sections 81.18 and 81.19 (psychological harassment), as amended by the Act to prevent and fight psychological harassment and sexual violence in the workplace (2024, chapter 4) |
|---|---|
| In force | In force. The 2024 law that added required content to the policy was assented to on 27 March 2024. |
| Who it applies to | Every employer covered by the Act respecting labour standards, whatever its size. |
| Investigations | CNESST's interpretation guide says your duty means having a known and effective procedure, suited to your business, so that harassment can be disclosed and dealt with quickly and objectively. Your policy must describe how situations are handled, including your investigation. |
| Training | Your policy must describe the information and training programs you offer to workers and to the people who handle complaints. |
| Records | Keep documents made or obtained while handling a psychological harassment situation for at least 2 years. Your policy must state how long you keep them. |
What your written policy must include
- The methods and techniques you use to identify, control and eliminate psychological harassment risks, including a section on behaviour shown through comments, actions or gestures of a sexual nature
- The information and training programs you offer, including for the people who handle complaints
- Recommendations on conduct at work-related social activities
- The procedure for making a complaint or report, and how situations are handled, including your investigation
- Measures to protect the people involved and anyone who helps with handling a complaint
- Confidentiality measures, and how long you keep documents made or obtained while handling a situation (at least 2 years)
Human rights law also applies
An employee can file a psychological harassment complaint with CNESST within 2 years of the last incident. Harassment related to a protected ground can also be taken to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, Quebec's human rights commission.
Key terms: Workplace harassment · Sexual harassment · Workplace violence · Harassment investigation · Psychological harassment (Quebec) · Duty to accommodate · Human rights code (protected grounds)
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Questions
Is a small business in Quebec required to have a harassment policy?
Yes. Every employer covered by the Act respecting labour standards must adopt a psychological harassment prevention and complaint policy and make it available to staff, whatever its size.
What must a Quebec harassment policy include?
Among other things: how you identify and control harassment risks (with a section on behaviour of a sexual nature), information and training, conduct at work-related social activities, how complaints are made and handled, protection for the people involved, and confidentiality, including keeping documents for at least 2 years.
What is the deadline for a psychological harassment complaint in Quebec?
A complaint to CNESST must be filed within 2 years of the last incident of harassment.
Can one incident be psychological harassment?
Yes. A single serious incident can be psychological harassment if it has a lasting harmful effect on the worker.
Official sources
- CNESST, Psychological or sexual harassment in the workplace
- CNESST, Interpretation guide: Act respecting labour standards, section 81.18
- CNESST, Interpretation guide: Act respecting labour standards, section 81.19
- Légis Québec, Act respecting labour standards, section 81.19
- CNESST, Aide à la rédaction d'une politique de prévention et de prise en charge du harcèlement psychologique
- Gouvernement du Québec, Adoption de la Loi visant à prévenir et à combattre le harcèlement psychologique et la violence à caractère sexuel en milieu de travail
- CNESST, Complaint concerning psychological or sexual harassment
- Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse
General information for Canadian employers, not legal advice. This policy is a starting point: read it, change anything that doesn't fit your workplace, and check it against your province's current rules, or ask an employment lawyer or HR professional to review it. Rules were checked against official sources on 5 November 2026.
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