The employer has obligations
Filling out an accident or incident report form may not be the first thing you think of when you’re dealing with an excessive workload. And yet… Work overload falls into the category of psychosocial risks (see Factsheet No. 10), and may have serious physical or psychological consequences.
There are a number of benefits to making a formal report. One of them is that it forces employers to consider their legal obligations in terms of occupational health and safety and to find solutions to your problem of work overload.
Your report also documents risks in your sector and makes it easier for health and safety committee members to identify and prioritize them.
Two forms are better than one
There are two forms available to make your report. It’s a good idea to complete both:
- The institution’s occupational accident or incident report, which focuses on the nature of the physical or psychological impacts of your heavy workload.
- A register of accidents report, which documents the existence of threats, violence or coercion that compromise your physiological or psychological well-being.
You can complete these reports individually or as a group. The big advantage of the group report is that it lends more weight to the process and encourages proactive efforts. Talk to your colleagues about it.
Alone or as a group, it’s important to make a report every time a problematic situation arises in order to document events and confirm the importance of acting.
Put the CNESST in the loop
Filing a complaint with the CNESST*, individually or collectively, is another possible avenue for reporting a dangerous or risk situation. They have inspectors trained in psychosocial risks who can take action when workload is thought to be causing a problem.
* Québec’s Labour Standards, Pay Equity and Occupational Health and Safety Commission.
The best way forward
The occupational health and safety officer or any other member of your local union team can answer your questions, meet with you alone or as a group, and support you in finding strategies to help resolve the situation by getting the employer to implement preventive and corrective measures.
These people are also trained in the psychosocial risk prevention process, which is useful to follow when you are experiencing a heavy workload. Feel free to contact them.