Legal Framework in Canada

Gord's Story:
Depression
I felt trapped

"At the absolute bottom, I felt hopeless, that I would never get better, that my profession had passed me by, and that no matter what I did it was never good enough. I felt trapped. I couldn't focus, face people, or be happy. I didn't want to get out of bed, but I didn't want to go to sleep either, since it meant that the morning would come that much sooner.

I sought treatment when I became so desperate and unhappy that I came to the conclusion that I couldn't afford not to get help. With help and support I began to feel better. I realized that there is hope. I'm happy again. I look forward to the next day, and am able to enjoy my relationships. This is a new and better world for me now."

More from Gord can be found in Working Through It

Please note: This content is provided for the purpose of general information only and is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice.

The law can have an effect on how mental health issues are addressed in the workplace.

There are two principle areas of law that are relevant to these issues:

• Workplace health and safety legislation
• Legislation to prohibit discrimination and to create barrier-free workplaces

This section can help you identify some of the relevant legal factors in dealing with mental health issues in the workplace. It is not exhaustive, however, and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.

• 7 Major Trends in Law Referring to Workplace Mental Health
• Legislation to Prohibit Discrimination and to Create a Barrier-Free Workplace
• What are Some of the Relevant Laws in Canada?
• The Duty to Accommodate

Seek Legal Advice Where Appropriate

The law is complicated and ever-changing. The areas of disability, discrimination, and accommodation are especially susceptible to change as research and case law lead to new conclusions about systemic barriers and the true abilities of those labelled as disabled. We strongly recommend that employers seek out qualified legal advice on these matters.

Resources

The following are links 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 in any way by Great-West Life.