Committee receives audit of City efforts to prevent workplace violence and harassment

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September 22, 2023
Council, committees and City Hall

The Audit Committee today received the Audit of the Prevention of Workplace Violence and Harassment from the Office of the Auditor General. The Auditor General made nine recommendations that the City agreed with and is in the process of implementing. The City welcomes the findings as an opportunity to advance this important work.

The City is following best practices and is consulting with departments to update the governance of workplace violence and harassment, with a focus on prevention. Work is underway to improve policies and procedures in a holistic way and to develop training suited to the specific needs of departments and groups.

The City will move to a centralized model for investigating complaints to ensure a consistent approach across the organization. In line with the Audit's recommendations, it has established timelines for sharing reports with complainants and respondents after an investigation is complete. All nine recommendations will be implemented by the end of 2024.

The Committee received the Auditor General’s report on the City’s role in the investigation of Manotick Business Improvement Area (BIA) expenses. The Auditor General noted the City can play a greater role in supporting BIAs to enable strengthened expenditure management and governance. This includes:

  • Providing guidance to BIAs to develop and implement comprehensive expenditure management policies
  • Reviewing BIA expenditure management policies to ensure sound expenditure management practices
  • Requiring all BIA board members and Executive Directors to take training on governance, roles and responsibilities, and expenditure management

The Committee recommended Council approve modifications to the Office of the Auditor General’s Audit Charter.

These reports will rise to City Council on Wednesday, September 27.

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