This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
“We must remember that what happens at work doesn't just stay at work; it doesn't just go away when the uniform comes off or when the shift is over. These workers need and deserve supports in place to deal with their work-related mental health injuries." — Jerry Earle, NAPE President
St. John's (10 Sept. 2018) — The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) launched the Workplace Mental Health Legislation — Let’s Get it Right public relations advertising campaign. The ads will run throughout the province on a variety of platforms.
New campaign to highlight the effects of facing violence and trauma on workers
“As part of their jobs, many workers, including a large number of NAPE/NUPGE members, personally face or witness dangerous, threatening, violent, and/or traumatizing situations,” said Jerry Earle, NAPE President. “These situations can have a deep and lasting impact that can lead to mental health injuries and illnesses including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).”
“We must remember that what happens at work doesn't just stay at work; it doesn't just go away when the uniform comes off or when the shift is over. These workers need and deserve supports in place to deal with their work-related mental health injuries,” said Earle. “We need to break down the stigma that exists in our workplaces around mental health. We don’t need small changes — we need legislative change. Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the last provinces to enact workplace mental health legislation, and we can't wait any longer. In fact, it’s already too late for those who have lost their battle.”
NAPE/NUPGE showing leadership on PTSD and workplace well-being
Earlier this year, NAPE/NUPGE released a position paper entitled A Call for Presumptive Legislation: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Occupational Stress Injuries, and the Well-being of the Workforce. This working paper was prepared by Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli and Dr. Alan Hall of Memorial University. The report was submitted to the government to better inform their workplace mental health review.
“The workplace mental health position paper commissioned by NAPE/NUPGE used quantitative and qualitative data from other Canadian jurisdictions to support recommendations for how the province should move forward with legislation on this front,” continued Earle. “The paper’s key recommendation is for the province to enact comprehensive presumptive legislation for all workers, not just first responders.”
Need for presumptive workplace mental health legislation is now
“The powerful campaign that we are launching, which features workers from a wide array of professions and workplaces, presents the urgent need for presumptive workplace mental health legislation for all workers,” said Earle. “We must do this now and we must get it right before it’s too late for those who are struggling with workplace mental health injuries.”
The first ad in the series can be seen on NAPE’s Facebook page or via Youtube.
Additional ads will be rolled out in the coming weeks.