Gather evidence

If you think your employer is punishing you for making a safety complaint, you should first is ask your employer for more information. Before you talk to your employer, it's a good idea to get legal advice.

When you speak to your employer, you might learn a different reason that they has changed your working conditions.

You can also get information that will help you if you make an application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).

Keep track of any documents you have that could help you prove that your employer is punishing you. Keep them in a safe place because you might need them if you apply to the OLRB.

Here are some of the documents you might need:

• pay stubs
• letters from your employer
• your employment contract or offer letter
• notes from meetings and from talking to other workers
• written instructions from your employer, and any safety materials you were given that are relevant to your issue

Make notes about conversations you've had. Keep track of dates when things happen.

You can also ask your Health and Safety Representative or Joint Health and Safety Committee for information about your problem. They are responsible for keeping records about safety tests, accidents, and Ministry of Labour orders in your workplace. They must also keep notes about what they talk about in meetings. If the committee talked about your problem, they must share those notes with a Ministry of Labour inspector.