F-9 Committee to Oversee the Implementation of the Psychological Health and Safety Management Systems (PHSMS)

Whereas the second Technical Committee Report to the Steering Committee on Mental Health In the Workplace recommended “federalizing” the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Assembling the Pieces, the step by step implementation guide for the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (The Standard); and

Whereas the third Technical Committee Report outlines a method to “plan, develop, maintain and refresh” the PHSMS; and

Whereas the entire Public Service will be required to implement the PHMS accordingly over the next 3 years (approximately); and

Whereas the implementation involves creation of joint mental health sub committees (JMHSC), joint identification of Champions, the co-development of JMHSC Terms of Reference, the co-development of an initial communication strategy; and

Whereas PIPSC stewards (particularly Consultation Teams and Consultation leaders and Steward networks) will be called upon to take leadership in this initiative and implementation of the PSHMS and it is critical that we are equipped to not only train our stewards on The Standard, but lead by example by implementing The Standard within our own organization;

1 - Be it resolved that all consultation teams be trained on The Standard and the five pillars to the Workplace Mental Health Strategy (Programs, Policies, Benefits, Training, Assessment); and

2 - Be it resolved that a Working Group be struck from the Board of Directors and the Advisory Council of PIPSC to oversee and make recommendations regarding training, policy development, recommendations regarding the elements required for implementation of the Standard within PIPSC (through EC/MC); and

3 - Be it resolved that the Institute engage to propose that The Standard be implemented for its own employees and create the required committees.

Resolutions Sub-Committee Comments - According to the Service Wide Occupational Safety and Health Committee recommendations, the responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Standard should rest with departmental Joint Occupational Safety and Health Committees; as such, the cost of training would be incumbent on the employer. It is unclear what roles the consultation teams may have.

The proposed resolutions, as they apply to Institute employees, could contravene staff collective agreements and duplicate the work of the existing Joint Health and Safety Committee between the Institute as an employer and staff.