A Consultant from our office recently attended a session in Kelowna to learn more about the recent amendments to Workers’ Compensation called Bill 14. The facilitator, Philip Levesque, an Adviser with the Employers’ Advisers Office from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Ministry Responsible for Labour briefed a full audience of HR professionals of these changes and expected outcomes of Bill 14.
Through Bill 14, workers’ compensation rules has expanded the circumstances in which mental stress or mental disorder claims can now be accepted.
These changes took effect July 1, 2012.
Some highlights of Bill 14 include:
- A worker is entitled to compensation for a mental disorder if:
– It is a reaction to one or more traumatic events arising out of or in the course of a worker’s employment OR
– Is predominantly caused by a significant work-related stressor, including bullying or harassment, or a cumulative series of significant work-related stressors.
- Workers must be diagnosed with a medical disorder by a psychiatrist OR psychologist. A diagnosis by a General Practitioner (GP) is not sufficient.
- An important exclusion for worker’s to be eligible for compensation is that a worker’s mental disorder is not a result of the employer:
– Changing the work to be performed or the working conditions.
– Disciplining the worker or terminating the worker’s employment.
For additional information about Mental Disorders and the changes to B.C. legislature, visit WorkSafe BC.
Currently WorkSafeBC is working on a workplace tool kit for employers to assist them with these changes and the associated policies and procedures that should be in place (if they aren’t already).
Free Resource for Employers
In addition, if you are interested in providing free education to your managers on workers’ compensation and prevention of bullying and harassment, please contact:
Philip Levesque, Adviser
Employers’ Advisers Office
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Ministry Responsible for Labour
Phone: (250) 717-2052 or Email: plevesq1@eao-bc.org
Philip is a terrific free resource (located in the Okanagan) and is here to help employers better manage workers’ compensation, claims and provide advice.
If you are located outside of the Okanagan, check out their website to find a local Employers’ Advisers Office and/or list of free educational seminars.
