Psychological Injury —information for Employers
Types of psychological injuries WCB covers
People can experience both physical and psychological injuries at work. A psychological injury can happen after a sudden traumatic event or build over time from serious stressors at work. WCB covers 3 types of psychological injury. For eligible workplace injuries, WCB is here to provide treatment, financial support, and assistance. This allows workers to keep working or return to work if time away is needed.
As an employer, it’s important to understand how these injuries are defined, what situations may be covered, and the steps that follow when a worker experiences one.
The 3 types of psychological injuries WCB covers
Gradual onset psychological injury (GPI)
A gradual onset psychological injury is caused by repeated, significant stressors at work—most often ongoing bullying or harassment. Feeling stressed about things like missing deadlines, difficult tasks, or not getting along with a co-worker is normal—and not usually covered by WCB.
Example: Over several months, the worker is mocked, berated, and threatened by co-workers. They begin to experience anxiety, sleep problems, or other symptoms that interfere with daily life.
Learn more about gradual onset psychological injury.
Traumatic psychological injury (TPI)
A traumatic psychological injury most often results from 1 sudden, traumatic event at work involving a threat of serious harm or an overwhelming experience.
Example: A worker witnesses a fatal incident at work and later has flashbacks and panic attacks.
Learn more about traumatic psychological injury.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in first responders
PTSD is a medical diagnosis that can result from 1 traumatic event or repeated exposure to traumatic events. Only a psychologist or psychiatrist can make a PTSD diagnosis for a claim. For first responders with a PTSD diagnosis, the law presumes the injury is work-related. This applies to police officers, firefighters (both paid and volunteer), paramedics, nurses, correctional officers, continuing care assistants, emergency response dispatchers, and sheriffs.
Example: After repeated exposure to traumatic events at work, a first responder is diagnosed with PTSD.
Learn more about PTSD in first responders.
How to tell the difference at a glance
- If the worker’s symptoms built up over time from repeated harmful behaviour, like bullying and harassment, they may have a GPI.
- If the worker’s symptoms began after 1 traumatic workplace event, they may have a TPI.
- PTSD is a specific diagnosis that can come from 1 traumatic event or repeated exposure to traumatic events.
Next steps and support
Psychological injury self-assessment
Workers can use our self-assessment tool to find out if their situation may be covered.
Opening a claim
Learn about opening a claim for psychological injury.
After a claim is opened
Learn about what happens next after a claim has been opened—including how a claim is decided.
Return-to-work support
Work is a critical part of recovery from any mental health issue or psychological injury. WCB is here to support you, the worker, and the health care provider every step of the way.
Workplace psychological safety resources
Connect with support and resources for first responders.