Sometimes, a psychological injury in the workplace doesn’t happen all at once.
Sometimes, a work-related psychological injury happens gradually due to significant stressors, such as bullying and harassment, that take place over time.
Starting this fall, this type of psychological injury will be compensable in Nova Scotia. As the first province in Atlantic Canada to have this type of workplace injury become compensable, the WCB will apply innovative approaches and best practices learned from other jurisdictions, to help the people we serve.
The change becomes effective in September, 2024. As the date approaches, this section will be kept up to date, as we prepare for new, innovative service approaches for a new type of compensable injury in our province.
- We’ve been working to get ready for this change for a while. It’s a big part of a new executive structure, organizational change, new roles and new leadership. The WCB service model for gradual onset stress will be different from our typical case management practices.
We are hiring a new team, with new roles, to deliver an exceptional service experience, complete with customer excellence and trauma-informed services.
Workers and employers can expect customized, personal service, based on their own situation, and mental health.
The worker will be at the centre of the service model – with the goal of keeping them connected to work, in a way that is safe and healthy, and returning as soon as it’s possible, in partnership, collaboration and principles of care.
Stay up to date on gradual onset psychological injury.
Sign up to WCB’s e-news to stay up to date about safety news, WCB Nova Scotia and the latest information on gradual onset psychological injury.
Q&As
We’ve been collecting your questions as we prepare to protect more Nova Scotians from workplace injury. Please take a look at the following links for more information about Gradual Onset Psychological Injury:
We’ll continue to update these Gradual Onset Psychological Injury Q&As in the weeks and months ahead, so check back often.
More info: WCB Nova Scotia
