Nova Scotia workers to be compensated for workplace harassment

Starting in September, workers in Nova Scotia will be able to be compensated for a greater number of occupational illnesses.

The Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation Board can already compensate workers for physical injuries resulting from a workplace accident, and for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The province has just amended its Workers’ Compensation Act to include gradually developing psychological injuries.

They appear gradually, over time, and are typically caused by harassment and bullying in the workplaceexplained Friday in an interview Karen AdamsCEO of the Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation Board.

Lack of mental health professionals

Workers who wish to report occupational illnesses attributable to these situations will be able to do so as of September 1. The commission is preparing for it.

Seven other provinces adopted this type of law before Nova Scotiasaid Karen Adams. complaints per year.”,”text”:”We can therefore predict how many and what kinds of complaints we will receive. We are ready for several hundred, up to 1000 complaints per year.”}}”>We can therefore predict how many and what kinds of complaints we will receive. We are prepared for several hundred, up to 1000 complaints per year.

Ideally, a worker should have the opinion of a psychologist or the diagnosis of a psychiatrist to document their symptoms. The Workers’ Compensation Board knows that it is difficult to find one in Nova Scotia that is accepting new patients.

It will therefore have its own psychologists and psychiatrists, subcontracted from other provinces. When a worker contacts the workers’ compensation office, he or she may have access to one of these mental health professionals.

According to Karen Adamspeople who want to report a psychological injury that appeared gradually because of their work can make a claim up to two years after the events, as is the case for physical injuries or those caused by a traumatic event.

If a claim is accepted, the employee will be able to request reimbursement for medical expenses and lost work hours. Karen Adams ensures that any worker who contacts the office will be directed to appropriate psychological and medical help, regardless of whether the claim is accepted or not.

Nova Scotia is the first Atlantic province to include this type of occupational disease in its Workers’ Compensation Act.

Prince Edward Island is considering compensating its workers for certain consequences of workplace harassment, but the province has not yet set a date for doing so.

According to the report by Adrien Blanc