Bulletin
Psychological Impacts Bulletin
April 8, 2025
To: ICBC Auto Claims Specialist I, II, III and IV Positions, Estimator, Estimator – Specialty Vehicle
Your Union has been made aware that an increasing number of members are departing on sick leave due to psychological conditions that have arisen as a result to their dramatic change in workload.
A psychological injury can be acute anxiety as a result of stress, anxiety, depression, or other conditions that are categorized under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If this is the case for you, and you are currently on sick leave and/or planning to pursue LTD, your Union is recommending that you also file a claim with WCB.
This will involve making a complaint online or by phone and visiting a doctor’s office so that they can fill out a Physician’s Report which will include your diagnosis. You can utilize a walk-in clinic for this purpose if you don’t have a family doctor.
While you are visiting your doctor, your Union also recommends that you request a referral to a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist through your health authority. This is so that you have a specialist you can call upon should you later be in the place of needing to file an appeal if your claim is denied. Please note that the time from referral to seeing one of these specialists can be a year or longer.
If your claim meets WCB’s initial criteria, they will refer you to be assessed by one of their psychological assessment professionals. Again, this process can be lengthy.
Another option which is more suitable for members who are currently still at work is utilizing the right to refuse unsafe work. Under the Workers’ Compensation Act of BC, you have the right to refuse unsafe work. Refusing unsafe work is exercising your legal right. If you believe you are at risk of psychological or other harm, you may advise your manager that you are exercising your right to refuse and this will activate the process.
We have also heard that some members are fearful of retribution by the employer for advancing safety concerns. It is illegal for an employer or union to penalize you for raising a health and safety issue at work. This is called prohibited action and includes the following discriminatory actions to a worker after bringing forward a health and safety concern:
- You are dismissed, suspended, or laid off, or your job is eliminated.
- You are demoted or an opportunity for promotion is taken away.
- Your duties are transferred to someone else.
- You are sent to another worksite.
- Your wages are reduced or your working hours are changed.
- You are coerced or intimidated in some way.
- You are disciplined, reprimanded, or penalized in any way.
For more information on the right to refuse unsafe work or on prohibited action complaints, please review the information in the links below.
Refusing Unsafe Work – WorkSafeBC
Prohibited Action Complaints – WorkSafeBC
If you have any questions on the above, please contact your ACM Focal Point, Job Steward, Union Representative or Vice President.
In solidarity,
Sara Colliss, Union Representative
Yudon Garie, Union Representative
Cathy Royle, Union Representative
Georgi Bates, Union Representative
Ronnie Ho, Union Representative
Dora Wong, Union Representative
Trevor Hansen, Senior Union Representative
Barb Gibson, Workers Compensation Appeals Representative
Dimitri Ossinsky, Vice President
