Québec Law 27: Key Compliance Information for Your Business
Starting October 6, 2025, a significant update will affect businesses in Québec. The new section of Law 27, aimed at modernizing occupational health and safety regulations, mandates organizations with 20 or more employees to incorporate psychosocial hazards into their prevention strategies.
Overview of Law 27 and Its Impact
This reform aims to enhance the psychological health of workers across various sectors. Psychosocial risks include several factors that directly impact the workplace environment. These can be summarized as follows:
- Workload issues
- Lack of recognition
- Stress
- Harassment
- Violence, including domestic or familial
- The right to disconnect
- Incivility
- Lack of autonomy
Employer Responsibilities
As of the law’s enforcement date, employers must identify, analyze, and address these risks. Failure to comply could result in financial penalties. Companies must integrate psychosocial hazard prevention into their overall health and safety programs.
Key Compliance Steps for Businesses
To ensure compliance with Law 27, organizations need to undertake several actions:
- Identify, analyze, and document psychosocial risks in the workplace.
- Create a comprehensive health and safety prevention plan that is written down.
- Implement training programs designed for managers and staff to better understand and prevent psychosocial risks.
- Establish a health and safety committee and appoint a representative, applicable to businesses with 20 or more employees.
- Maintain a prevention policy concerning psychological and sexual harassment, in place since September 2024.
Additionally, the provisions also extend to remote workers. Companies are responsible for identifying and mitigating risks associated with remote work environments.
Diagnostic Tools for Improving Workplace Culture
Compliance with Law 27 presents more than just regulatory obligations. It is an opportunity to enhance organizational culture. Conducting a workplace climate assessment provides a clear view of psychosocial risks, aiding in both compliance and market competitiveness.
Our team specializes in helping businesses navigate the demands of this regulation. We offer tailored expertise to support organizations in achieving compliance effectively through:
- Identification and documentation of psychosocial risks.
- Development of a prevention program.
- Creation of training and awareness programs for all staff.
Preparation is key. Early action demonstrates a commitment to employee psychological health and readiness to meet the requirements of Law 27.
It is essential to note that Law 27 applies to all activities conducted in Québec, regardless of the location of a company’s headquarters. Compliance with occupational health and safety regulations is overseen by the CNESST.
