District Policies and Code of Conduct for Volunteers and Contractors
Below are the Saanich policies of which volunteers need to abide.
1. Substance Use / Abuse – 1/SUB
Saanich has an obligation to the public to provide safe, reliable and efficient service. It endeavors to provide a safe and healthy work environment and to promote the general health and wellbeing of its volunteers. Saanich does not tolerate consumption or possession of drugs or alcohol or impairment by any means including the misuse of medication by volunteers while on duty.
Volunteers and contractors must:
- Arrive at work fit for duty, without impairment and without performance altering levels of drugs, cannabis, alcohol or misused medications.
- Never report for duty smelling of alcohol, cannabis or drugs or appearing as if s/he may be impaired.
- Not purchase or consume alcohol, cannabis or drugs while wearing a Saanich uniform or driving a Saanich vehicle.
A volunteer or contractor who does report to work when impaired may be subject to suspension from the program, event or facility.
2. Respectful Workplace – 5/WORK-RES
Saanich is committed to maintaining a work environment where all people are treated with respect and dignity. Respect is present in a workplace where everyone displays courteous, considerate and professional behaviour toward one another, and in their interactions with customers and members of the public. Bullying and harassment in our workplace is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We encourage reporting of all incidents of bullying and harassment, regardless of who the offender may be.
Bullying and Harassment mean:
- Any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards a volunteer or contractor that the person knew, or reasonably ought to have known, would cause that person to be humiliated or intimidated, or
- Any other form of unwelcome verbal or physical behaviour which by a reasonable standard would be expected to cause insecurity, discomfort, offence or humiliation to a volunteer or contractor, or group of volunteers/contractors, and has the purpose or effect of interfering with a volunteer/contractor’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.
Sexual harassment is specifically addressed under the Human Rights Code of B.C.
Interpersonal, electronic and social media communication is included in the scope.
Bullying and harassment excludes any reasonable action taken by a supervisor relating to the management and direction of volunteers or contractors or the place of employment.
All employees, contractors and volunteers have a duty to ensure that the workplace is free from discrimination, bullying and harassment. Any retaliation against any party involved in a complaint or complaint resolution will not be tolerated.
Volunteers or contractors who believe that they have been subjected to, or have observed bullying and/or harassment are required to report their concerns to staff.
3. Workplace Violence Prevention Program – 1/VIO
Saanich believes in the prevention of violence and promotes a violence free environment. Any act of violence against volunteers or contractors is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
We are committed to establishing and maintaining a Workplace Violence Prevention Program which will include but is not limited to:
- Reporting threats or incidents of violence
- Investigating reported threats or incidents of violence in a prompt, objective and sensitive manner;
- Taking necessary corrective action; and
- Providing appropriate support for victims.
No volunteer or contractor shall be penalized in any way for making a complaint or giving evidence in an investigation regarding violence unless the charge proves to be malicious and without foundation.
4. Smoking & E-Cigarette Free Workplace – 1/SMO
Saanich adopts the provincial Tobacco Control Act and Regulations and the CRD Clean Air Bylaw, which specify where tobacco smoking is banned. Saanich extends these bans to the use of e-cigarettes.
Smoking tobacco products and using electronic cigarettes while at work is banned in:
- any Saanich owned or leased building, structure, vehicle or any other Saanich worksite that is fully or substantially enclosed, with the exception of personal vehicles;
- all municipal parks, playgrounds, playing fields, public squares;
- outdoor areas that are within seven (7) meters of doorways, open windows or ventilation air intakes of Saanich owned or leased buildings, enclosed structures or vehicles.
