Workers in the Yukon and across Canada reporting more mental health injuries
CBC
When you think of workplace injuries, you might imagine physical ones caused by operating heavy and dangerous machinery.
But worker's compensation boards across Canada are seeing increases in invisible workplace injury claims.
In the Yukon, the amount of submitted "psychological injury" claims nearly doubled from 2016 to 2018 — and last year the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board accepted more than ever before.
These mental health injuries are rising particularly in Yukon's government employers.
Last week the board announced these employers — including the territorial government, First Nations and municipal governments, first responders, health care and education workers — would need to pay higher board fees next year as a result of these injuries and the cost of their claims, which it says are considerably higher than physical injuries.
This spike in these claims is caused, in part, by an increase in workplace violence and harassment, spokesperson James Price told CBC in an email.
The board's website says the effects of this harassment and violence on people can include minor or serious physical injuries, temporary or permanent physical disability, shock, anxiety and psychological trauma.