The Union's Role in Workplace Mental Health
Helping a member identify and address a mental health issue can be one of the most difficult tasks a union representative may face. A union representative who is skilled and informed about mental health issues may be in a better position to support a solution for the employee. The union representative may have the opportunity to gain the trust and cooperation of the worker and his or her coworkers and can therefore have an invaluable role in assisting workers in these matters, including a successful return-to-work or accommodation. A word of caution, however, that this position can be emotionally draining for the union representatives, so both training and support are especially important.
The action plans in each section below outline strategies for union representatives and employers in unionized workplaces to help ensure that situations where mental health is a factor are handled in a professional and effective manner.
For Union Representatives
For Employers in Unionized Workplaces
Refer to the section Creating Healthier Workplaces for other tools and resources to help in the development of action plans for a mentally healthier workplace.
Also see Occupation-Specific Mental Health Issues for strategies on managing mental health in different sectors such as Shift Workers, Educators, Dangerous Industry Workers, etc.
Resources
The following links will take you to resources that may be of interest to you. If you click on a link you may be entering a third-party website not maintained or controlled by Great-West Life.
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It is important to understand and address the work-related issues of co-workers before an employee returns to work see all
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