Reach Canada presents this not-to-be missed seminar, and our own Randy Slepchik will be there to help unpack the legal framework behind addiction issues in the workplace and entitlement to disability benefits. He will also discuss the best practices and strategies for assisting employees with disabilities whether as their lawyer or when assisting a colleague in the workplace.
Addressing this issue from a medical perspective will be Psychologist Matthew Rippeyoung, who will discuss the shift in how substance use and abuse is conceptualized, the variety of treatment approaches, how to support a person struggling with substance use and information about local treatment options.
Date: Tuesday April 25 at 11 am to 1 pm (bring your own lunch, refreshments available)
Location: 601 Cumberland, University of Ottawa campus, second floor above Café Nostalgica. Fully Accessible.
Register: reach.ca
This program is accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada and contains 2 Professionalism Hour(s).
Last week, Jewitt McLuckie & Associates partnered with REACH Canada to host one-day conference called “Mental Wellness in the Workplace: Understanding and Working with PTSD, Addictions and Depression.” With mental health issues now a leading cause of short and long-term disability claims in Canada [1], this timely topic drew over 80 people to the CUPE Local 503 Training Hall on Carling Avenue. Medical experts, labour lawyers, union leaders, first responders, peer support program coordinators, mental health and disability advocates all generously shared their knowledge via slide presentations and lively panel discussions. We learned about identifying these “invisible disabilities”, developing accommodation plans that work for employees and employers, and the upcoming changes recognizing PTSD presumptively as a Workplace Illness for first responders as set out in Bill 163, as well as practical tips for lawyers and laypeople working their way through the WSIB and long-term disability claims processes.
Conference feedback was extremely positive for the overall experience, and we are proud to report that while they enjoyed the presentations, attendees also found practical benefits. Some appreciated the strategies for dealing with insurance companies and navigating workplace accommodation processes, while others intend to use what they learned to initiate peer support groups in their own workplaces.
This conference had a purpose beyond merely sharing knowledge: it was a fundraiser for REACH Canada, a charitable, self-funded and non-profit organization currently celebrating its 35th year connecting people with various disabilities to lawyer referral and educational services. Jewitt McLuckie & Associates is pleased to announce that as a result of this Conference, REACH will be receiving a donation of $3000.00 and we wish them many fruitful years continuing their excellent work in the community.
[1] https://canadasafetycouncil.org/workplace-safety/mental-health-and-workplace
