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at issueNationalStandard onPsychologicalHealth andSafety in theWorkplaceCanada’s first National Standard on Psychological Health andSafety in the Workplace was released January 16 by the MentalHealth Commission of Canada, the Bureau de normalisation duQuébec, and the Canadian Standards Association Group.This is a voluntary standard for employers to promote and preventharm to the psychological well-being of workers, including innegligent, reckless or intentional ways. It is not a legal requirement.The Standard was developedfor both employers andemployees, and the principlescan be adapted for any sizeof organization or situation.The College of LicensedPractical Nurses of Alberta(CLPNA) is developing aPractice Guideline on “Co-Worker Abuse in the Workplace”for release in Springthat will address the NationalStandard.According to the MentalHealth Commission, nearly30% of short and longtermdisability claims aredue to mental health problems. The processes to develop a healthypsychological work environment are becoming as necessary as thosefor physical health and safety.“The business case is clear: a work environment that promotes goodmental health is socially responsible, cost effective, and helps attractand keep good employees. It also helps an employer’s bottom lineand contributes to economic prosperity,” states the document’sFrequently Asked Questions.Similar to how employers have legal liability for physical safety,the FAQ’s state that increasingly “employers may be held liableto claims, for example, if an employee is harassed or bullied orchronically overworked.”Several additional tools for employers were also released in supportof the National Standard, including an animated video and aneducational webinar.The National Standard and related tools are available fromwww.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/workplace_guide.aspxcare | spring 2013 17