Policies

In fulfilling our mission, YWCA Hamilton is committed to provide its goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We believe in integration and giving people with disabilities equal opportunities with the same quality programming and access to our goods and services by allowing all people to benefit in a similar way. We will do so by striving to improve accessibility, removing barriers to accessibility, and by meeting our accessibility requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).  YWCA Hamilton will continue to evolve its policies and procedures in compliance with the AODA and all its standards.

In fulfilling our mission, YWCA Hamilton is committed to provide its goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities by always striving to improve accessibility. We believe in giving people with disabilities equal opportunities with the same quality
programming and access to our goods and services by allowing all people to benefit in a similar way. The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is to reduce barriers and create more accessible and inclusive environments for people with disabilities. YWCA Hamilton is
committed to deliver our programs and services with respect and in an accessible and inclusive manner. We will ensure compliance with the accessibility legislation by making all reasonable efforts to identify,
remove and prevent barriers that might interfere with a person’s ability to access our facilities and utilize our programs and services. The following standards have been made under the AODA:

• Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Ontario Regulation 429/07)
• Integrated Accessibility Standards (Ontario Regulation 191-11)

To access the full policy, please contact us at 905-522-9922

YWCA Hamilton understands that the diverse communities served by the organization contribute to the growth, enrichment and strength of YWCA Hamilton and of the larger community. We are also sensitive to the fact that various groups in our communities often encounter barriers to full access and participation because of racism and oppression. It is the policy of YWCA Hamilton to provide an environment, which is free of racism and oppression.

YWCA Hamilton believes that every employee, volunteer, student, client, member and visitor has the right to work, volunteer, access services and enjoy an environment that is free from gender, racial, sexual and other forms of oppression. As an employer and service provider YWCA Hamilton will not tolerate and will address any intentional or unintentional acts of oppression towards an individual or a group of people that creates barriers to access or inclusion on the basis of race/colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion/creed, socio-economic class, gender, sexual orientation, gender orientation, receipt of public assistance, political affiliation, record of offences, level of literacy, citizenship/immigration status, country of origin, mental health status, age, type of housing, neighbourhood of residence, language, family status, health status, ability or any other personal characteristics in all aspects of its operation and at all levels of the organization.  Related violations will be resolved through the organizations complaints protocols.

All stakeholders of YWCA Hamilton are entitled to fair and equitable treatment. YWCA Hamilton is committed to ensuring that our mission and operations embrace our entire communities. We will make every effort to see that our structure, policies and system reflect all aspects of the total community and to promote equal access to all.

YWCA Hamilton values and encourages the feedback of clients, members and
community members about the programs, services and practices of the organization. Complaints and feedback can provide important opportunities for improving service. A complaint can be made by a client, member or community member individually or with the support of an individual acting
on behalf of the client, member or community member if necessary. The complaint can relate to any aspect of the organization’s programs, services and practices.

YWCA Hamilton maintains a high standard with respect to the operation of the organization and its associated programs and services. Strict compliance is expected for all employees, volunteers and contractors of the YWCA Hamilton with respect to its established policies and procedures.

To access the full protocol, please contact us at 905-522-9922

Policy Description:

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of their workers in the workplace. This includes protecting them against the risk of workplace violence and harassment. YWCA Hamilton is committed to workplace health, safety and security for all employees, volunteers, students, clients, members, volunteers and visitors. YWCA Hamilton encourages and supports the involvement and the meaningful input from the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). This policy
was developed in consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) and the following legislation governing workplace violence and harassment in Ontario:

The Occupational Health and Safety Act, Bill 168
The Occupational Health and Safety Act, Bill 132
The Criminal Code of Canada
The Ontario Human Rights Code
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997
The Compensation for Victims of Crime Act
The Regulated Health Professions Act

Policy Scope:

This Policy is designed to ensure that all employees, students, volunteers, clients, members, residents, visitors, guests, contractors, sub contractors and board members are aware of and adhere to practices intended to make the workplace safer. YWCA Hamilton will support and maintain strict compliance expectations regarding violence and harassment. To support this commitment, YWCA Hamilton has developed a workplace violence and harassment policy applicable to all locations and work-sites. Violent behaviour and harassment in the workplace from anyone is unacceptable. Employees are expected to uphold this policy and to work cooperatively to prevent workplace violence and harassment.

Workplaces are more than just offices –

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) defines a workplace as any land, premises, location or thing at, upon, in or near which a worker works. When an employee is at an off-site meeting, the meeting place is the workplace. When an employee is travelling in their automobile or by transit in the performance of their job, the vehicle is a workplace. Workplace violence and harassment can occur during work related functions at off-site locations such as conferences, social events, or the offices of community based institutions such as schools, hospital, doctor’s offices and courts.

Violence can also happen in an employee’s home, if it is work related: for example, social media, threatening telephone calls from co-workers, clients or managers.

Policy Statement:

The YWCA Hamilton is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Workplace violence and harassment will not be tolerated from any person in the workplace. All members of the YWCA Hamilton community, employees, students, volunteers, clients, members, residents, visitors, guests, contractors, subcontractors and board members, have the right to work, live and use our facilities in an environment free from violence and harassment. YWCA Hamilton has a requirement to investigate and deal with all complaints or incidents of workplace violence and harassment in a fair, respectful and timely manner. All employees, students, volunteers, clients, members, residents, visitors, guests, contractors, subcontractors and board members are expected to adhere to this policy, and will be held responsible for not following it. The management of YWCA Hamilton is responsible for ensuring that health and safety practices and procedures, including workplace violence and harassment prevention, are clearly communicated and understood by all employees. Management staff are required to enforce this policy and program requirements fairly and consistently throughout the organization. Workers will not to be reprised, penalized or disciplined for reporting an incident or for participating in an
investigation involving workplace harassment.

The work performed by YWCA Hamilton has the potential for staff to encounter violence and harassment in the workplace. To minimize risk to all employees, volunteers and students, YWCA Hamilton will make every reasonable effort to:

Train management and staff;
Identify the risks and sources of violence and harassment;
Establish reporting requirements and procedures designed to address violent acts, threats of violence and harassment;
Manage, reduce or eliminate the risk of violence and;
Implement policies and procedures to be adhered to by the workforce

The Volunteer Policy and recruitment procedures are in place to support, nurture and further the rich history of volunteerism at YWCA Hamilton.

Policy: Volunteers have been involved in almost every area of activity since YWCA Hamilton was founded. YWCA Hamilton continues to attract people with a range of backgrounds and skills, with a shared commitment to seeking equity for women, girls and their families. Volunteers work within an
anti-racism and anti-oppression framework and culture of philanthropy towards achieving YWCA Hamilton’s mission, vision and strategic objectives.
The purpose of our Volunteer Program is to:

Recruit and maintain a committed team of diverse volunteers who are reflective of the broader community to support YWCA Hamilton staff to improve and extend service delivery.

Provide volunteers with the level of responsibilities and involvement that meet their expectations and provide fulfilling volunteering opportunities while maintaining a high level of service to our clients and members. The contribution of volunteers remains vital to YWCA Hamilton’s operations. The organization recognizes and values the reciprocal nature of the relationship between YWCA Hamilton and individual volunteers and is committed to providing a volunteer program which both:

Supports YWCA Hamilton’s work, and meets the expectations of individual volunteers. YWCA Hamilton’s Volunteer Program brings substantial benefit to:

Clients and members by providing them with a high level of service in a safe environment that ensures successful program outcomes and confidentiality.
Volunteers by providing them an avenue to: join a vibrant, creative organization with a great passion for its role in the struggle in achieving equity for women, girls and their families; and contribute their vast wealth of skills, experiences and knowledge to support women, girls and their families.

Staff by facilitating additional human resources to ensure we maintain a high level of service to
YWCA Hamilton’s clients, members, stakeholders and the wider community.

Organization by bringing specialist advice and skills into the organization and through the provision of additional human resources in a wide variety of activities.

Community by providing an avenue for community participation in specific campaigns or the organization as a whole.

To access the full policy, please contact us at 905-522-9922