All people have the right to refuse work when they feel there is an immediate danger to their own health and safety or to the health and safety of others present at the worksite.

At Stantec individuals are authorised and responsible for implementing the Stop Work Authority initiative in case of unsafe acts, conditions or simply not being confident in the safe work plan. Reinforcing this fundamental right to speak up strengthens the need for psychologically safe environments.

Stop Work Authority doesn’t have to be a formal process, and it doesn’t mean shutting down all work on a site or project. It might be a simple pause in the work activities so the team can discuss if something doesn’t feel right. 

Stantec continually reinforces that when people implement the Stop Work Authority in good faith, leadership will always support the decision ensuring a culture of safety. 

Employees regularly share examples and recognise Stop Work Authority as a proactive leading indicator. Worker fundamental rights are communicated through new starter inductions, and reinforced through recurring health and safety and ethics training and wider communications.

Stop Work Authority events are reported through an online reporting system, thereby providing visibility of the frequency and nature of implementation.