June 1, 2026
St. John’s, NL – Starting June 1, 2026, WorkplaceNL will cover psychological injury due to harassment at work.
This means that workers diagnosed with a psychological injury due to harassment in the workplace may be eligible for wage-loss benefits, health care benefits and return-to-work services through the workers’ compensation system. The diagnosis must be from a physician, nurse practitioner, psychologist or psychiatrist.
In the context of WorkplaceNL coverage, workplace harassment involves aggressive, intimidating or discriminatory conduct as a repeated behaviour or a single, serious event. WorkplaceNL will confirm that harassment occurred in the workplace and may use the findings of an outside investigation.
“A psychologically safe workplace is important to the well-being of workers and workplaces ” said Elizabeth Lane, CEO, WorkplaceNL. “This change represents an important step that strengthens support for workers experiencing psychological injury due to workplace harassment and helps raise awareness of the significance of respectful, healthy work environments.”
This amendment to Policy EN-18 broadens WorkplaceNL’s coverage, which already includes presumptive coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and coverage for certain psychological injuries due to traumatic events.
More information is available at www.workplacenl.ca, and WorkplaceNL staff are available to answer questions at 1.800.563.9000.
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Learn more
For Workers – Psychological Injury Claim
For Employers – Psychological Injury
Policy EN-18 – Psychological Injuries
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About WorkplaceNL
Serving approximately 230,000 workers and 17,000 employers, WorkplaceNL administers an employer-funded, no-fault workers’ compensation system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and offers compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
Media contact:
Carla Riggs, Director of Communications and Engagement
709.778.1590 or [email protected]