Mental Stress Provisions of WSIA are Unconstitutional

by | May 19, 2014 | For Employees

Mental Stress Provisions of WSIA are Unconstitutional

by | May 19, 2014 | For Employees

Recently, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) issued a decision significantly expanding employees’ entitlement to workplace safety and insurance benefits for mental stress.

The Act

Subsections 13 (4) and (5) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (the “Act”) provide, in part, that a worker is not entitled to collect benefits for mental stress unless the stress is caused by an acute reaction to a sudden and unexpected event arising out of and in the course of his or her employment. The types of sudden events that have led to benefits being paid in the past were serious such as an assault at work. Previously, benefits were often denied if mental distress was caused by an employer’s decision to change the work performed, or the working conditions, or to discipline the worker.

The Facts

In this case, a nurse was unable to work because of an adjustment disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depression that was caused by a co-worker. In particular, she claimed she treated badly by a fellow doctor for a period of 12 years. She claimed benefits under the Act. Initially, she was denied benefits because she did not satisfy the conditions of section 13 of the Act; that is; her mental stress was not caused by an acute reaction to a sudden event.

The Decision

The Tribunal concluded that parts of subsections 13 (4) and (5) of the Act and the WSIB’s Traumatic Mental Stress Policy violated section 15(1) of the Charter and could not be saved by section 1.  That is, the sections are unconstitutional because they treat workers with mental disabilities differently than workers with physical disabilities. The Tribunal decided not to apply these sections to the nurse’s circumstances and found that she could receive WSIB benefits for mental stress.

The Impact

Technically, other Tribunal members are not required to follow this decision.  However, it is likely to be quite persuasive in future mental stress cases at the Tribunal.

If it is relied on in the future, it will significantly broaden the claims that employees can make for mental stress benefits to the WSIB.  Employees may also elect to claim WSIB benefits for mental stress instead of EI sickness benefits.

It also means that employees may be able to require the employer to accommodate them in a new position if they have been receiving WSIB benefits for mental stress. Under the Act, an employer who employs 20 or more employees generally has a duty to re-employ an injured worker who has at least one year continuous service.

In particular, under section 41 of the Act provides that if a worker is medically able to perform the essential duties of her pre-injury employment, then the employer shall, among other things, offer to re-employ the worker in the position that the worker held on the date of injury. If however the worker cannot perform the essential duties of her pre-injury employment then the employer must offer the worker the first opportunity to accept suitable employment that may become available with the employer.

If a worker claims that her supervisor is causing the mental stress then this worker will no doubt be seeking suitable employment in a different job and/or department. In our experience, a worker’s doctor will provide a medical opinion which provides that a supervisor is causing the worker’s mental stress, if asked.

If you are unsure whether to file a workplace injury compensation claim, or if you think something at work has caused a mental health disorder and you want to know whether you are entitled to workplace injury benefits, please contact us at  [email protected] or 1-888-640-1728 (toll free) or 647-633-9894 (within the GTA).

For additional blogs about workplace safety, see here.

The material and information in this blog and this website are for general information only. They should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. The authors make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of any information referred to in this blog or its links. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found on this website or blog. Readers should obtain appropriate professional advice from a lawyer duly licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. These materials do not create a lawyer-client relationship between you and any of the authors or the MacLeod Law Firm.

 

k

Recent Posts

k

Recent Posts

Justice for Unionized Employees

Unionized employees often seek our advice regarding human rights issues in their workplace. Sometimes this is because human rights violations have occurred and the union is not assisting them. Other times, the union itself may be part of the problem. The rights of...

read more

The material and information in this blog and this website are for general information only. They should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. The authors make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of any information referred to in this blog or its links. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found on this website or blog. Readers should obtain appropriate professional advice from a lawyer duly licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. These materials do not create a lawyer-client relationship between you and any of the authors or the MacLeod Law Firm.

 

k

Recent Posts

k

Recent Posts

Justice for Unionized Employees

Unionized employees often seek our advice regarding human rights issues in their workplace. Sometimes this is because human rights violations have occurred and the union is not assisting them. Other times, the union itself may be part of the problem. The rights of...

read more

Toronto Office

702 - 2 Bloor Street West,
Toronto, ON M4W 3E2

Barrie Office

277 - 92 Caplan Avenue,
Barrie, ON L4N 9J2

Collingwood Office

220 - 1 First Street
Collingwood, ON
L9Y 1A1

Contact

Phone

+1 (888) 640-1728

Fax

(866) 883-8445

Email

[email protected]

Toronto Office

729 - 2 Bloor Street West, Toronto ON M4W 3E2

Barrie Office

277 - 92 Caplan Avenue, Barrie ON L4N 9J2

Collingwood Office

220 - 1 First Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y 1A1

Translate

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!