Mental health issues not only affect us at work but in every other aspect of our lives.

CUPW and CPC agreed, under Appendix FF in the urban operations collective agreement, to develop a project that focuses on mental health.

The project has two phases:

1. A needs assessment survey to identify the current understanding of mental health issues in the workplace.
2. Ue the knowledge gained from the survey to create resources and programs to address the issues identified by members.

This project is not connected to any other initiative such as the Corporation’s “cause of choice.” The Union is interested in mental health because members tell us it’s a workplace issue.

 

Independent third party selected for membership survey

The CUPW-CPC joint committee has retained an independent third party, Towers Watson, to conduct the survey. They have already held focus groups and interviews with many CUPW members across the country to get a better understanding of our workplaces. An advisory committee of mental health professionals will provide guidance with the survey design.

In June, 1,500 randomly selected members will receive the survey as a test run. We hope everybody will participate so the experts can make adjustments to the questions, if needed.

The improved survey will be mailed out to 15,000 randomly selected members’ homes in September.

 

Confidentiality is a priority

All surveys are strictly confidential. They will be returned to Towers Watson and held in confidence by them. No individual surveys will be shared with CUPW, CPC or any of CPC’s agents, such as Manulife, Sun Life, Great West Life or Shepell.fgi.  We will only receive combined results of the survey in a manner that guarantees absolutely no one can be identified.

The final report to the joint committee will be made available to all Locals.  We hope it will help us gain a better understanding of what member need done to prevent mental health risks.

 

We need you to complete the survey

We hope you will participate.  If you receive the survey at home, please fill it out. Remember, no personal information will be shared and no individual responses will be identified.

Mental illness is often met with fear and ignorance. By removing the stigma, our Appendix FF project will benefit all of us. It can make or workplaces healthier and make the union stronger.