OPP makes steady progress on supporting a healthy workforce and healthy workplaces

ORILLIA, ON, April 24, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has sent its second quarterly update to the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman, with details on its progress in further addressing the issue of operational stress injuries (OSI) affecting OPP members.

The OPP's OSI Working Group is undertaking an in-depth review of the Ombudsman's recommendations and the OPP is reporting quarterly on various activities including educational and awareness-raising initiatives.

In partnership with the OPP's Human Resource Services, the OSI Working Group is piloting a workshop which is being held in various locations across the province for managers at the rank of Staff Sergeant, and above. Managing for a Healthy Workplace focuses on Injury, Illness and Employment Accommodation; Return to Work; Workplace Safety Insurance; Employee Assistance Programs; and Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention including Respect in the Workplace and Conflict Management. This training encourages managers to explore practical strategies for overseeing a healthy workplace while reducing stigma associated with employment accommodation.

The OPP is also continuing to build its peer support teams' capacity. As of April 14, an additional 20 OPP members successfully completed the Critical Incident Stress Response (CISR) and Trauma training, and more is underway. As well, information on the OPP's support programs is now posted on the OPP's website, www.opp.ca, to ensure that these resources are readily available, not only to OPP employees but also to OPP family members and retirees.

"I'm very pleased by the progress we've made so far on the issue of operational stress injuries (OSI) in the workplace," says Commissioner Lewis. "We are really moving the yardstick forward."

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

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Sgt. Pierre Chamberland
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