NSGEU First Union To Be Part of National Standard Project

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU), is the first union in Canada to be selected to be part of a three year research project promoting the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

According to President Joan Jessome, “As a labour organization, the NSGEU has long had a keen interest in promoting psychological health in the workplace.  We have demonstrated this commitment in various ways such as in helping to establish the Mental Health Coalition of Nova Scotia and in setting up a very successful Bully-Free Workplace program.”

This National Standard was first released in January 2013 by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Standards Council of Canada. The purpose of the three-year research project officially launched in January of this year is to identify best practices in the implementation of the National Standard in order to place psychological well-being at work on the same footing as physical health and safety in the workplace.  The overall goals are to reduce stigma, to strengthen knowledge exchange between organizations and within organizations, to promote psychological safety, and to protect the mental health of workers.

The World Health Organization defines psychological and mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Jessome says, “NSGEU is committed to practice what we preach with our own employees and help lead the way to create a sustainable culture shift with the employers of our members. To adopt the Standard successfully requires a commitment by senior management and participation by everyone, it is a shared responsibility.”

-30-

  The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union represents over 30,000 women and men who provide quality public services Nova Scotians count on every day.

For more information or to arrange an interview with NSGEU President, Joan Jessome, please contact:

Deedee Slye, NSGEU Communications Officer

424.4063 (office)  

497-6761 (cell)

dslye@nsgeu.ca