ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

Health care systems are strained right now and patients are anxious about their care. While we sympathize with the many burdens of life that sometimes cause people to act in a way they regret, it is our obligation to ensure a safe, secure and respectful environment for patients and staff.

Words or actions that make others feel threatened or demeaned will not be tolerated and decisive action will be taken to protect our patients and staff.

We will take immediate action if incidents described below occur. Individual(s) may be asked to leave, the police may be called or the individual(s) may face dismissal from our practice.

Inappropriate Words (in person, by phone, or any means of communication):

• Abusive language and yelling
• Disrespectful or demeaning language/comments
• Remarks, jokes or innuendos that degrade, ridicule or offend
• Discriminatory remarks
• Threats or threatening behaviour
• Sexual Harassment
• Bullying

Inappropriate Actions/Gestures:

• Violence (physical attacks or threats of harm)
• Intimidation
• Throwing, damaging property or breaking things
• Failure to observe our policies and/or contracts
• Unwelcomed physical contact
• Refusing to leave the property
• Offensive hand gestures