Widow shares story of psychological abuse, while Minister of Labour highlights changes
As the curtain rose on Canada's Safety and Health Week, a poignant story unfolded during a webinar hosted by Anne Tennier, president and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
The narrative brought to the forefront the human costs of workplace neglect and the urgent need for systemic change. Brenda Duhaime, whose husband tragically took his own life following relentless workplace bullying, shared her heart-wrenching experience, casting a spotlight on the critical issue of mental health in the workplace.
“Bob was harassed every day at work,” explained Duhaime as she recounted the years bullying her husband, Bob, endured as a grader operator for a rural municipality in Saskatchewan.
“He asked Workers' Compensation for help. They asked him to write a story of what happened. He did, and they denied him help," said Duhaime.
Her story detailed a systemic failure to address the bullying that ultimately led to Bob's despair. "The last call he made was to the safety officer at work, the one who wasn't bullying him. And Bobby told him that he wouldn't be in the next day. This safety officer was a good man who did nothing," she lamented. A stark reminder that passive complicity can be just as harmful as active abuse.
Tennier responded to Duhaime’s story with a call to action, and a reminder of the collective responsibility to prevent such tragedies. "It's a painful, but very important reminder of the far-reaching impact that one catastrophic injury or illness can have on loved ones and the community," said Tennier. She stressed the importance of proactive measures and supportive environments that can intercept and address issues before they escalate to irreversible consequences.
Before Duhaime’s emotionally powerful story, Canada’s Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan, outlined new legislative measures aimed at fortifying worker protection. Highlighting recent governmental initiatives, O'Regan emphasized the imperative to balance productivity with well-being. "We now have ten days of paid leave for all federally regulated workers, which is big because no one should have to choose between getting paid and getting better," he asserted, showcasing a move towards more compassionate workplace policies.
O'Regan discussed innovative steps to improve everyday working conditions, such as the introduction of free menstrual products in federal workplaces. "We introduced free menstrual products because it just makes sense. We don’t make you bring your own toilet paper to work. So why should anyone have to bring their own pads and tampons?" he questioned, challenging outdated norms and pushing for equity in the workplace.
The Minister also touched on the critical 'right to disconnect' policy, slated for upcoming implementation, designed to safeguard mental health by defining clear boundaries between work and personal life. "Answering calls and texts and emails at all hours of the night isn't just bad for your mental health; it's not very productive," O'Regan claimed. This policy aims to ensure that workers are not only physically safe but also mentally resilient.
As Canada's Safety and Health Week continues, the stories shared and the measures introduced serve as vital steps toward reshaping workplace cultures across the country. For health and safety professionals, these narratives and strategies offer essential insights and tools to forge safer, healthier, and more respectful work environments. The call to action is clear: it is incumbent upon everyone, from policymakers to safety officers, to ensure that workers are protected on all fronts, truly making Canada one of the safest places to work in the world.
