About Andrew Lawson

Andrew Lawson is a human rights and health and safety trainer and advisor, currently consulting to both the federal and Ontario governments. Since 1996, he has conducted extensive legal research in the areas of human rights and occupational health and safety law. He has worked in the people management business for over 25 years.
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Responding to a human rights complaint

As an employer it is always possible that your organization will become involved in a human rights complaint— most likely as the respondent. Being the respondent means that a complaint has been filed against you, probably by an employee, former employee, customer or other member of the general public. You must respond in writing to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) within 35 days in order to preserve your legal rights.

Andrew Lawson

Time to read 4 minutes read
Calendar September 5, 2012
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Think proactively about workplace policies and practices even if it’s not the law (yet)

In these articles that I write for First Reference Talks readers and in the training programs I design for my clients I usually focus on two important topics: Legal obligations of employers (especially new laws) Best practices in employee management (usually based on legal obligations) This article is about all that but also provides the […]

Andrew Lawson

Time to read 3 minutes read
Calendar August 9, 2011
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The best lessons are not all learned in the classroom – the threat of the irate customer

As a workplace violence consultant and subject matter expert, I am well aware that irate customers pose a very real threat to front-line workers. It’s not very often that I am that irate customer.

Andrew Lawson

Time to read 5 minutes read
Calendar February 22, 2011
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Workplace violence in self-defence: what does the law say?

Although some readers believe that any kind of workplace violence is inappropriate, there was a consensus that acting within reason to protect yourself is okay—nobody should be expected to “stand there and take a beating”.

Andrew Lawson

Time to read 3 minutes read
Calendar October 12, 2010
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The ‘Ministry’ will investigate complaints of harassment… Really??!!

As a human rights advisor and educator I was encouraged to overhear this educational conversation about harassment at Tim Hortons. I was concerned however that part of the message this group was hearing was incorrect and misleading.

Andrew Lawson

Time to read 3 minutes read
Calendar July 13, 2010