B.C. introduces bill to expand mental stress coverage • Manitoba fire code changing Dec. 1 • WCB assessment rates steady in Newfoundland and Labrador • P.E.I. WCB reduces preliminary average assessment rate
British Columbia
B.C. introduces bill to expand mental stress coverage
British Columbia has introduced a bill to expand mental stress coverage under the Workers Compensation Act. Bill 14 would amend the act to expand compensation for mental stress arising from the course of the worker’s employment to go beyond the current requirement of “an acute reaction to a sudden and traumatic event” and include: the reaction to one or more traumatic events, the reaction to a significant work-related stressor and the reaction to a cumulative series of significant work-related stressors. Stress resulting from employment decisions like discipline, termination or a change in working conditions will continue to be excluded from coverage. To be eligible for mental stress compensation a recognized diagnosis will be required.
