FREDERICTON (CNB) - New Brunswickers with questions about workplace accommodation and their right to return to work now have some new resources to guide them.
The Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Employment Standards Branch of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL), and the Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) have released three important new publications on workplace accommodation.
"It is vital that we make it easier for New Brunswickers to understand these important laws to inform them of their rights," Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Ed Doherty said. "Creating a single source where they can go to get the information provides a great service to the people who need it, and is emblematic of what our government will do to help people throughout our mandate."
The resources include a comprehensive 25-page guide detailing workers' and employers' rights and obligations under New Brunswick's Human Rights Act, Employment Standards Act, and Worker's Compensation Act, and two pamphlets with frequently asked questions (FAQs) - one for workers, and one for employers.
"We're very proud of these documents because they provide answers to both employers and employees on their rights and obligations with respect to accommodating disability in the work place," said Dr. Gordon Porter, the Chair of the Human Rights Commission. "Clients were often confused about where to go to get their questions answered. These documents will clarify things for them."
"It is crucial that employees who stop working due to a disability be able to return to work when they recover. This may require accommodation, such as keeping a position open until an employee recovers, gradual return to work, reassignment of certain duties and assistive technology," Porter added. "Obviously, accommodation benefits employees, but it is also beneficial for employers as it permits them to retain skilled employees."
"We were very happy to contribute to this project," said Doug Stanley, president and CEO, WHSCC. "While our priority is preventing accidents from happening, once they do, our focus becomes getting injured workers back to work safely and quickly. These documents will provide valuable information not only to those workers who are injured on the job, but all persons with challenges, on their rights regarding accommodation at work."
The publications are available online at: http://www.whscc.nb.ca/docs/DTAAccommodationatwork_e.pdf http://www.whscc.nb.ca/docs/DTAEmployerBrochure_e.pdf http://www.whscc.nb.ca/docs/DTAEmployerBrochure_e.pdf