OMNI-COMPASS
The Strategic Framework for Psychosocial Risk, Canadian OHS Compliance, and Crisis Intervention.
Actionable Check-In
A proactive outreach fulfilling the legal Duty to Inquire.
Administrative Controls
Changes to the way work is done (policies, training, schedules) used to mitigate psychosocial risks.
ALGES Framework
The standard for MHFA, including the critical focus on Self-Care for the First Aider. Read More
Authority Hub
Strategic "pillar" content providing deep-dive intelligence on PHS compliance. Read More
Bill 132 (Ontario)
Legislation mandating written programs for workplace harassment and sexual harassment.
Burnout
State of exhaustion caused by excessive stress, recognized as an occupational phenomenon.
Canada Labour Code (Part II)
Mandatory OHS requirements for federally regulated workplaces, including the protection of psychological health.
Compassion Fatigue
Emotional exhaustion found in frontline crisis and victim services professionals due to the nature of their work.
Continuous Improvement
The commitment to regularly reviewing the PHS-IMS to ensure effectiveness and adapt to changing workplace needs.
CSA Z1003
The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace; the definitive framework for compliance.
Documentation Trail
Recorded evidence of training and check-ins required for regulatory audits.
Due Diligence
The legal "defense" an employer uses to prove they did everything reasonably possible to prevent an injury. In this context, it means having a paper trail for mental health, not just physical safety.
Duty of Care
The moral and legal obligation to ensure the safety or well-being of others. In the workplace, this means taking all reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable psychological or physical harm.
Duty to Accommodate
Requirement to modify work duties to support employees with disabilities.
Duty to Inquire
The legal obligation for a manager to check in on an employee if they suspect a mental health issue is affecting their work, fulfilling the obligation to support or accommodate rather than just firing for poor performance.
Elimination
The highest level of the Hierarchy of Controls; removing a psychosocial hazard entirely (e.g., stopping after-hours emails) rather than expecting individuals to cope with it.
Executive Intelligence
The high-level understanding required by leadership to navigate psychosocial risk and Canadian OHS compliance effectively.
Factors (13 Psychosocial)
The 13 elements from CSA Z1003 that impact employee mental health.
Frontline Services
High-risk roles requiring specialized PHS support due to trauma exposure.
General Duty Clause
A "catch-all" legal rule (specifically Section 25(2)(h) in Ontario) requiring employers to take every reasonable precaution to protect workers from psychosocial and physical hazards.
Green Zone (Healthy)
The target state for a PHS compliant workplace; characterized by normal functioning and high engagement.
Guarding Minds at Work (GMAW)
A validated survey tool used for measuring the 13 Psychosocial Factors to assess organizational health.
Hazard Register
A living document tracking identified mental health risks and mitigation actions.
Hazards (Psychosocial)
Factors in how work is designed or managed that increase the risk of psychological injury.
Hierarchy of Controls
A system prioritizing Elimination over Individual coping to address root causes of stress.
Human Resources Development
Process of building organizational capacity to support a psychologically safe culture.
Integrated Management System (PHS-IMS)
A framework embedding PHS into core business governance and risk operations.
Integration Framework
The roadmap illustrating how PHS is embedded for long-term compliance.
IRS (Internal Responsibility System)
Foundational philosophy that everyone shares responsibility for health and safety.
ISO 45003
International standard for managing psychosocial risks, a companion to CSA Z1003.
Judgement (Reasonable)
The standard used to determine if a leader took every reasonable precaution to protect a worker.
Just-in-Time Support
Rapid-response mental wellness resources provided immediately following a critical incident.
Leadership Training
Programs equipping managers with psychological literacy to identify signs and lead check-ins.
Liability (Psychosocial)
The financial and legal risk an organization faces when failing to protect workers from psychological harm.
Management System Audit
Systematic review of PHS compliance against the CSA Z1003 Standard.
Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)
The national body responsible for evidence-based PHS frameworks.
Mental Health Continuum Model
A tool standardizing early intervention language using colour-coded zones.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
The help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or crisis.
Moral Injury
Psychological distress resulting from actions that violate core moral beliefs.
Non-Adversarial Interview
A fact-finding approach focused on system failures rather than individual blame.
OHS / OHSA (Occupational Health and Safety Acts)
The provincial or federal laws across Canada mandating that employers protect workers from hazards.
Opening Minds
The branch of the MHCC dedicated to reducing structural stigma in leadership.
Orange Zone (Injured)
A state of functional decline often triggering the legal Duty to Accommodate.
PHS (Psychological Health and Safety)
A strategy focused on preventing mental injury; "mental OHS."
Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)
The management cycle used for continuous auditing and adjustment of PHS policies.
Psychological Contract
The unwritten expectations between employer and employee.
Psychological Safety
A culture where employees feel safe to speak up without fear of punishment.
Psychosocial Hazards
Workplace factors that can cause mental harm (e.g., workload, bullying).
Psychosocial Hazard Register
A primary "Proof of System" listing risks and their specific controls.
Psychosocial Risk Assessment
Process of evaluating workplace factors to reveal hidden hazards.
Quality Assurance Audit
Verifying training meets rigorous national standards.
Québécois French Translation
Adaptation of materials for linguistic relevance in Quebec.
Reasonably Practicable
The legal standard for balancing risk severity against the effort of control measures.
Red Zone (Ill)
Severe functional impairment requiring immediate medical or professional intervention.
Role Ambiguity
Confusion about job responsibilities due to poor communication.
Root Cause Analysis
Process for identifying underlying causes of a mental health incident to prevent recurrence.
Self-Care for the First Aider
The final "S" in the ALGES action plan; essential for responder sustainability.
Standardized Tool
Scientifically validated surveys used to measure organizational culture.
Stigma (Workplace)
Negative beliefs leading to discrimination or silence regarding mental health.
Systemic Safety Net
Interlocking layers of PHS-IMS designed to prevent psychological injuries.
The Working Mind (TWM)
MHCC-accredited program designed to reduce stigma and provide wellness tools.
Tiered Response Model
A strategic approach prioritizing primary prevention before secondary intervention.
Trauma-Informed Leadership
Management approach recognizing trauma impact to avoid re-traumatization.
Triad of Accountability
Shared responsibility between Employer, Union, and Employee.
Undue Hardship
The limit to which an employer must accommodate before it becomes dangerously expensive.
Vicarious Trauma
Emotional residue of exposure to the trauma stories of others.
Victim Services Training
PHS support tailored for professionals working with survivors.
Working Mind, The (TWM)
A primary evidence-based program from the MHCC designed to promote mental health and reduce stigma. (See Section T for full details).
Work-Life Balance
One of the 13 Psychosocial Factors; the degree to which there is a balance between the demands of work and personal life.
Yellow Zone (Reacting)
Stage characterized by mild distress; ideal for a check-in.
Youth MHFA
Training adapted for adults who interact with youth.
Zones of the Continuum
The four distinct phases (Green to Red) used to categorize mental health.