Thursday, November 23, 2017
St. John’s, NL – WorkplaceNL has initiated a review of its mental stress policy (Policy EN-18). The goal of the review is to modernize the approach to work-related mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder. WorkplaceNL is also partnering with workplace parties to develop occupational health and safety programs that support mental health in the workplace, including workshops and webinars.
WorkplaceNL and the Hon. Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL met with interested parties on November 15, 2017 to seek input on the prevention of, and compensation for, work-related mental stress.
Potential changes will come from a two-stage process.
The first is the immediate policy review, where changes will be informed by a review of mental-health related policies of other Canadian workers’ compensation boards and consultation with WorkplaceNL’s primary stakeholders, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council. This is WorkplaceNL’s standard policy consultation process.
In the longer-term, a review of mental stress coverage in the workers’ compensation legislation will be informed by formal research and input from interested parties. WorkplaceNL will accept written submissions pertaining to this review until February 1, 2018.
WorkplaceNL will engage a research partner to conduct research and review literature relating to work-related mental health issues, particularly as it relates to workplaces in Newfoundland and Labrador.
About WorkplaceNL
Serving approximately 13,000 injured workers and 19,000 employers, WorkplaceNL administers an employer-funded, no-fault insurance system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and offers fair compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
Media contact:
Carla Riggs, Director of Communications
709.778.1590 or carla.riggs@workplacenl.ca