Stress Leave

[Diesen]

I know I don't post a lot, but I always considered Calgarypuck one of the best and most helpful online community. I have seen great advice given to many people of the years and was hoping you guys would have some for me.

My life is falling apart! My wife recently lost her job a few months ago and has been in a major depression since, medication and counseling have not helped. The depression has been ongoing to varying degrees for the past 8 years, and I am out of ideas to help her, and I am pretty sure my marriage is falling apart(11 years).

In August, I was informed that my program was getting cut and I was going to be out of a job in October. I have been looking for jobs and am confident that I will be able to find work, but it has just been one more stress I didn't need.

I don't think I can handle much more, and now I am considering stress leave, unfortunately my employer does not have any benefits, so I don't know what my options are? Does anyone have any experience getting stress leave through WCB?

[ken0042]

I think you are at least on the right path- it takes strength to be brave enough to ask for help. I don't have anything specific, but have you called 211? I know there are programs available and they can put you in touch with the right people.

Sorry that I don't have anything specific for you. But I do believe that if you are strong enough to ask for help, you have the strength to get through this.

[FFR]

Unfortunately you won't be able to get stress leave through WCB - stress claims are only accepted for incidents that occur at work that are the fault of work and are considered to be above and beyond the normal stresses of work. Although the situation you are in is highly stressful, and your program being cut is certainly a cause from work, it wouldn't be considered a situation beyond the normal stress of a workplace.

[Northendzone]

I would think that to get WCB benefits, your strees would ahve to be workplace related and based ont eh above, it sounds like there are a few pressure points in your life right now.

Does your employer offer an employee assistance plan? speaking with a conselor would be one of the first steps.

[undercoverbrother]

Sorry to read your post.

I don't have any advice other than:

"nothing lasts forever"

Things will improve. Continue to seek help, often your GP can be a good avenue to get help.

my wife struggled (and still has some issues) with depression. I have to remind myself that it is an illness. The women I married isn't happy about how she is feeling.

Take Care.

[Diesen]

Originally Posted by FFR

Unfortunately you won't be able to get stress leave through WCB - stress claims are only accepted for incidents that occur at work that are the fault of work and are considered to be above and beyond the normal stresses of work. Although the situation you are in is highly stressful, and your program being cut is certainly a cause from work, it wouldn't be considered a situation beyond the normal stress of a workplace.

Thanks, that is what I understood about a WCB claim as well, I was just hoping I was wrong.

[rohara66]

What kind of work do you do? Always people on here looking to hire in their industries.

[Diesen]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I would think that to get WCB benefits, your strees would ahve to be workplace related and based ont eh above, it sounds like there are a few pressure points in your life right now.

Does your employer offer an employee assistance plan? speaking with a conselor would be one of the first steps.

Unfortunately, my employer does not have any benefits, I have spoke with a conselor, but blue cross only covers so much, and now with the job situation I am going to have to find a more affordable option.

[Diesen]

Originally Posted by rohara66

What kind of work do you do? Always people on here looking to hire in their industries.

That is the funny part! I work in a helping profession!

[pylon]

I will give you the flip side of the coin.

In the past I took a sabbatical from work to try and deal with some personal issues, and I found it made things worse for me, and I fell deeper into a hole. At least work was giving me purpose, and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. When I had nothing to do, I just hid from the world and slept all day for 3 weeks. So I decided to go back and fight through things. I am really close with a lot of my co-workers though, so that was probably part of it as well.

But as others have said, you are taking the first step, which is important. You can't get help, unless you ask for it.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by pylon

I will give you the flip side of the coin.

In the past I took a sabbatical from work to try and deal with some personal issues, and I found it made things worse for me, and I fell deeper into a hole. At least work was giving me purpose, and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. When I had nothing to do, I just hid from the world and slept all day for 3 weeks. So I decided to go back and fight through things. I am really close with a lot of my co-workers though, so that was probably part of it as well.

But as others have said, you are taking the first step, which is important. You can't get help, unless you ask for it.

Yeah I have always found that work is a great tonic for non-work related stress as you can keep busy and not dwell on your personal issues.

[Diesen]

Originally Posted by pylon

I will give you the flip side of the coin.

In the past I took a sabbatical from work to try and deal with some personal issues, and I found it made things worse for me, and I fell deeper into a hole. At least work was giving me purpose, and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. When I had nothing to do, I just hid from the world and slept all day for 3 weeks. So I decided to go back and fight through things. I am really close with a lot of my co-workers though, so that was probably part of it as well.

But as others have said, you are taking the first step, which is important. You can't get help, unless you ask for it.

I totally agree, and it has been a great support to me. I just am not able to concentrate or be very productive right now, and with the end date in a month, my motivation is low.

[Robo]

Talk to your doctor tell him what is going on and he can prescribe stress leave you will basically collect ei

[Table 5]

I realize this is not the same, but every time I get in a rut, I try to travel somewhere. Ideally somewhere new and with a lot of positive energy, but even a simple day-trip to the mountains can lift the spirits.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by Robo

Talk to your doctor tell him what is going on and he can prescribe stress leave you will basically collect ei

Robo is on the right track, if your employer does not provide paid sick time or short term disability, you can apply for EI sickness benefits.
I would suggest contacting service Canada as well as your doctor.
Your doctor will need to complete a medical certificate (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eform...2-01-004)e.pdf) and then you can start the application process.
Stress leave is tricky with EI, and it may be rejected. Also bare in mind, EI benefits will only pay up to 55% of your weekly earnings, to a max of $514 a week.
The application process usually takes about a month, and then there is a 2 week waiting period before you receive any payment, so in your current situation, you may not see a payment, well into October.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I realize this is not the same, but every time I get in a rut, I try to travel somewhere. Ideally somewhere new and with a lot of positive energy, but even a simple day-trip to the mountains can lift the spirits.

Yup, Maui is my go to healing place.

For whatever reason, when I go there, I completely forget about any problems I have, and completely forget about everything but the moment I am in.

For short term relief, I do have my little super secret thinking spot in the mountains.

[undercoverbrother]

Does anyone know if Diesen goes on stress leave with his current employers benefits, prior to termination, does the claim continue on post termination?

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Does anyone know if Diesen goes on stress leave with his current employers benefits, prior to termination, does the claim continue on post termination?

If you're talking about him claiming EI sick benefits, they will continue for up to 15 weeks regardless of employment standing.

[Diesen]

I have some vacation time remaining, do I need to use that before I can claim EI sick benefits?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by wretched34

If you're talking about him claiming EI sick benefits, they will continue for up to 15 weeks regardless of employment standing.

No I am talking about Extended Healthcare coverage, ie: Group Plan.


In theory as long as the claim for STD or LTD is started before the termination of employment and therefor the plan the claim should still continue to be paid after the termination.