Take note, advises one industry lawyer, often-overlooked employer obligations are also addressed.
A new report on mental health and addiction in Ontario has been released and one industry lawyer says it should be of particular interest to employers.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) report examines the multitude of obstacles faced by individuals suffering from an addiction or mental illness but, according to Kristin Taylor, it also deals with the effect on Canada’s labour force.
Dual disability
“Many readers may be surprised by the prevalence of mental health and addiction disabilities in the workforce,” warns Taylor – approximately five per cent of Ontarians over the age of 15 currently identify themselves as having a mental health or addiction-based disability.
The report also reveals that a staggering 90.5 per cent of all individuals who have a mental health or addiction disability also have another, coexisting form of disability.
“The presence of multiple, overlapping disabilities certainly adds complexity to the accommodation process,” warns the Cassels Brock employment lawyer.
Unemployed or unhappy
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the report also confirms that people with mental health and addiction disabilities are disproportionately underemployed compared to the rest of the population – but they’re also underemployed compared to people who have physical disabilities.
And those who are employed are often subjected to an unfair work environment.
“When employed, persons with mental health and addiction issues report experiencing high levels of harassment and discrimination,” says Taylor. “[Sixty-seven per cent] of those surveyed reported feeling disadvantaged at work, stating that they had been refused interviews, refused promotions or otherwise treated poorly because of their disability.”
Secret shame
Worryingly, the OHRC report also found that a third of employees who identify as having an addiction or mental health disability do not plan on telling employers or requesting any additional accommodation.
“Employers should be mindful of case law that requires them to proactively investigate whether or not an employee's unusual behaviour is indicative of a mental disorder,” advises Taylor. (Continued...) #pb#
Case in question
Taylor highlighted a 2010 Federal Court of Canada case, in which the court had to consider whether the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) had erred in declining to deal with one Quebec employee’s complaint.
Employee François Dupuis claimed he had been discriminated against because his employers at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) should have refused his resignation when it was offered.
Dupuis said he was experiencing a mental disorder at the time and bosses should have declined, directing him to seek medical attention instead.
The court held that it was unreasonable for the CHRC to refuse to deal with the complaint and said the DFAIT should have known something was wrong because consultant Dupuis had recently purchased a house and was being considered for a permanent role.
The court said Dupuis’ resignation was clearly "irrational" and warranted further inquiry.
“Cases like [Dupuis v. Canada 2010 FC 511] illustrate the challenges faced by employers with employees who have undisclosed mental health issues,” says Taylor. “Most employers would prefer to respect the privacy and autonomy of their employees and refrain from prying into what is obviously a very personal sphere.”
To read Kristin Taylor’s full article, click here.
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The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) report examines the multitude of obstacles faced by individuals suffering from an addiction or mental illness but, according to Kristin Taylor, it also deals with the effect on Canada’s labour force.
Dual disability
“Many readers may be surprised by the prevalence of mental health and addiction disabilities in the workforce,” warns Taylor – approximately five per cent of Ontarians over the age of 15 currently identify themselves as having a mental health or addiction-based disability.
The report also reveals that a staggering 90.5 per cent of all individuals who have a mental health or addiction disability also have another, coexisting form of disability.
“The presence of multiple, overlapping disabilities certainly adds complexity to the accommodation process,” warns the Cassels Brock employment lawyer.
Unemployed or unhappy
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the report also confirms that people with mental health and addiction disabilities are disproportionately underemployed compared to the rest of the population – but they’re also underemployed compared to people who have physical disabilities.
And those who are employed are often subjected to an unfair work environment.
“When employed, persons with mental health and addiction issues report experiencing high levels of harassment and discrimination,” says Taylor. “[Sixty-seven per cent] of those surveyed reported feeling disadvantaged at work, stating that they had been refused interviews, refused promotions or otherwise treated poorly because of their disability.”
Secret shame
Worryingly, the OHRC report also found that a third of employees who identify as having an addiction or mental health disability do not plan on telling employers or requesting any additional accommodation.
“Employers should be mindful of case law that requires them to proactively investigate whether or not an employee's unusual behaviour is indicative of a mental disorder,” advises Taylor. (Continued...) #pb#
Case in question
Taylor highlighted a 2010 Federal Court of Canada case, in which the court had to consider whether the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) had erred in declining to deal with one Quebec employee’s complaint.
Employee François Dupuis claimed he had been discriminated against because his employers at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) should have refused his resignation when it was offered.
Dupuis said he was experiencing a mental disorder at the time and bosses should have declined, directing him to seek medical attention instead.
The court held that it was unreasonable for the CHRC to refuse to deal with the complaint and said the DFAIT should have known something was wrong because consultant Dupuis had recently purchased a house and was being considered for a permanent role.
The court said Dupuis’ resignation was clearly "irrational" and warranted further inquiry.
“Cases like [Dupuis v. Canada 2010 FC 511] illustrate the challenges faced by employers with employees who have undisclosed mental health issues,” says Taylor. “Most employers would prefer to respect the privacy and autonomy of their employees and refrain from prying into what is obviously a very personal sphere.”
To read Kristin Taylor’s full article, click here.
More like this:
Financial services powerhouse’s flex work policy makes waves
Should all employees be encouraged to chase leadership?
Unpleasant execs poisoning the workforce
