What criminal offense does the Criminal Code establish regarding employer treatment of employees?

The correct answer highlights an important provision in Canadian criminal law designed to protect employees from harassment and detrimental treatment related to their whistleblowing activities. Under the Criminal Code, it is explicitly recognized as a criminal offense for employers to retaliate against employees who provide truthful information concerning unlawful activities, such as illegal practices or unsafe working conditions within the workplace. This legal safeguard encourages employees to report misconduct without fear of reprisal, thus promoting transparency and accountability in the workplace.

The emphasis on protecting whistleblowers aligns with broader worker protection principles, ensuring that individuals who stand up against wrongdoings are shielded from potential harm or discrimination by their employers. This is crucial for cultivating a workplace culture that values ethical behavior and encourages employees to report illegal activities.

In contrast to this answer, other options present different aspects of employment law but do not capture the specific criminal nature of retaliatory actions against whistleblowers. While financial penalties for labor law violations and ensuring a safe working environment are essential components of employment legislation, they do not address the criminal implications of employer retaliation as directly as the correct answer does. Similarly, while discrimination based on personal grievances may violate civil rights, it isn't highlighted within the context of criminal law in the same way that retaliatory actions against whistleblowers