Small Firms Subsection Event: Addressing Risks, Liabilities, Costs and Benefits of Mental Health in the Workplace – Webinar

To all BCLMA members,

Overview:

Following the release of the CSA framework on Psychological Health and Safety, organizations are faced with uncertainly as to their legal obligations, risks and benefits of addressing mental health in the workplace. This 45-minute session will highlight some of these risks and costs associated with reactive measures and identify proactive areas in which law firms can apply the recommendations of the CSA framework and other suggested frameworks into their practices. Recommended audiences are those responsible for workplace health and safety, labour relations and HR, as well as those interested in the legal responsibilities, risks and benefits of psychological health and safety in the workplace.

Webinar Learning Objectives:

Identifying Legal Risks: Participants will learn to recognize potential legal risks and liabilities that may arise due to inadequate psychological health and safety measures. They will explore scenarios to understand how failure to address mental health issues can result in legal consequences.

Compliance and Policy Development: Participants will gain insights into best practices for developing and implementing policies and procedures that align with British Columbia’s OHS legislation, Canadian National Standards and ISO standards of Psychological Health and Safety. They will learn what is required in creating a framework for psychological health and safety compliance within a law practice.

Understanding the Legal Framework: Participants will learn about the key legislative requirements in British Columbia and Canada that are aligned with mitigating psychosocial risk and hazards in the workplace. A specific focus on the legal obligations of employers in the context of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace will be introduced, highlighting the topics of harassment, workplace violence and accommodations.

Differentiating Psychological Health and Safety from Psychological Safety: Participants will distinguish between psychological health and safety and psychological safety. They will understand that psychological health and safety encompasses proactively managing workplace factors to prevent harm, while psychological safety pertains to creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. The focus will be on the legal implications of the former.

Conflict Resolution and Cost Management: Understanding the costs associated with workplace conflict and legal disputes, participants will learn what is required to build strategies to mitigate conflicts and address psychological health and safety issues proactively. They will explore the financial and reputational benefits of maintaining a psychologically safe workplace.

Building a Culture of Wellbeing: Participants will explore methods for creating a workplace culture that promotes psychological wellbeing. This will include fostering open communication, providing mental health support, and encouraging a supportive and inclusive environment.

By achieving these learning objectives, law practices can enhance its compliance with OHS regulations, reduce legal risks, and create a workplace culture that supports employee wellbeing and engagement, ultimately contributing to organizational sustainability and success.

About the speaker: Treena Reilkoff

Treena Reilkoff CCM, BA, BSW is the owner of TLR Solutions 4 Conflict Inc. Treena is an ADR & Risk Management professional, Certified Psychological Health & Safety Advisor & ISO 45003 certified, Certified Workplace Assessor & Restoration Analyst, Accredited Diversity Facilitator, international workshop trainer, and international author, with decades of experience in trauma informed practices and promoting strategies for optimizing conflict resiliency within businesses and organizations.    https://tlrsolutions4conflict.ca/

Presented by Q2 Workplace Wellness:

Q2 Workplace Wellness helps companies improve employee mental health, while creating psychologically safe workplaces for the organization. Companies considering evaluating organizational mental health should start with a baseline assessment to determine company risks, liabilities and opportunities to make improvements to employee wellbeing. Services integrate validated surveys to assess workplace mental heath with tools and resources to make positive changes. www.q2wellness.com

If you have any question please contact Small Firms, Chair, Susanne Tholl, [email protected]
The session is being recorded and will be available to those who have registered.