Workplace Safety and Insurance Board executive Brian Jarvis says organization “has been in discussion with the Ministry of Labour on possible options” to its policy on compensation for workers struggling with mental health issues due to prolonged workplace trauma. ( FRANCIS VACHON / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO )The province’s worker compensation board says it is discussing ways to reform current laws that prevent injured workers with chronic mental stress from receiving benefits, but says it cannot reverse its policy of denying compensation without legislative change. “The WSIB has a long history of adjudicating claims for workers with mental illness and takes this responsibility very seriously,” reads the letter from Jarvis, who is the board’s Chief Operating Officer. In the meantime, the WSIB is required to evaluate each claim based on the current policies and legislation,” Jarvis said. “The absurdity of the situation and the grim consequences for workers warrant your office’s urgent attention,” the ombudsman complaint said.

Source: thestar November 25, 2016 10:02 UTC