Public Health Agency of Canada / Agence de la santé publique Canada What can you expect to find at the Canadian Health Network?

Canadian Health Network

Health info for every body
 Groups and Topics  
Search
Home Mental Health FAQs Question
Increase text sizeIncrease text size


As a person with a mental illness, what rights do I have at work?


Your right to an accommodation

An accommodation is a support or change to a job that removes barriers for someone with a disability so that they can do their work better.

You have the right to request an accommodation if you have a disability, including a psychiatric disability like depression or anxiety. If you're having problems being effective in your job because of limitations caused by a mental illness (limitations like fatigue or memory problems), you have the right to request an accommodation.

Your right to freedom from discrimination
Because of human rights laws, everyone has the right to be free from discrimination where they work. Mental disorders can be considered a disability under human rights laws. If you have a psychiatric disability, you're protected from being discriminated against because of your disability. This includes being passed over for promotion or excluded from training or project opportunities.

Your right to freedom from harassment
You have a right to be free from harassment where you work. It's against the law for anyone to harass you, insult you, humiliate you or treat you unfairly because you have a mental illness.

Your right to privacy
Your mental health is part of your personal medical information and you have the right to keep it private. You're not required to tell anyone about your diagnosis. But in some cases, sharing information about your mental illness can help everyone to understand and support your situation. Only you can decide whether or not sharing this information feels like the right thing to do.

Additional resources

Frequently Asked Questions on the Duty to Accommodate - Canadian Human Rights Commission

Canadian Human Rights Act

Office for Disabilities Issues

Mental Health Works


Last Updated: 2006-05-01
Created for the Canadian Health Network by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

--
FRANÇAIS     Contact Us     Help     Search     Home
About Us     FAQs     Media Room     Site Map     A-Z Index--
Quality Assurance    Privacy Policy    Disclaimer