Stress is one of the most dreadful issues that can jeopardize your whole life if it keeps on simmering for quite some time. Stress can be caused by many reasons, which might be related to personal or professional issues. However, if we talk particularly about stress in the workspace, you would be surprised to know that it usually takes a mental toll on many working professionals. The worst part is that this stress spills over to other aspects of a person’s life, and they might not be able to do their day-to-day work properly. That’s where a stress leave comes to save a person in recuperating from the stress they’re facing. But, the issue comes in applying for the stress leave and getting it approved by the higher authorities. However, you need not worry as in this article, you’ll get to know about how you can apply for a stress leave Alberta. So, let’s begin by first understanding what is the meaning of a mental health leave in Alberta!

What is the meaning of a mental health leave in Alberta?

Mental health leave in Alberta, which is commonly known as stress leave or sick leave, is a leave type in the province for employees facing stress issues. To broaden it a bit, if you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, along with other mental health issues, then you can apply for such a leave. This leave becomes a necessity when the issues that you’re facing impact your ability to do the work that you’re supposed to do at your workplace. You need to know that the stress leave isn’t just limited to stress only, as it might include several health issues. Some of them can be burnout, anxiety, or depression. In fact, stress leave comes under the long-term illness and injury leave that is provided by the province’s Employment Standards Code. 

For how much time can I get a stress leave?

There are many non-unionized workers in Alberta who can avail of up to 16 weeks of job-protected leave in a calendar year. The 16-week leave cycle starts from the beginning of every year. 

Did you know some employees working in the province have an employment contract giving them a specific number of days off for sick leave? In fact, it starts every year. 

These days are paid and even unpaid in some cases. In a contract, a person gets the right to sick leave, and they have to apply to the ESC as it has many benefits. These benefits can include paid leave and even days off. 

Who can get a stress-free leave in Alberta?

In the province, an employee from a non-union can get long-term illness and injury leave if they:-

• Have been a full-time or part-time employee and that too, for a minimum of 90 days. 
• Require some time off due to some genuine reasons. Those reasons can be personal illness, injuries and cases that include a lot of stress.

What can I do if I need a lot more stress leaves than what’s covered?

In that case, non-unionized employees can get an extended stress leave in Alberta as well. However, it should include severe stress and depression, which can be termed a disability. 

The Alberta Human Rights Act states that employers must provide accommodations to staff with disabilities. 

If you are under stress, you can even get a job-protected leave that is much longer than the 16 weeks covered by the ESC. 

There are many companies in Alberta that must accommodate disabled workers in the proper manner. It’s because they’re legally obligated to do so till the point of undue hardship. 

In this particular case, employers need to give unpaid sick leave to the employees for a significant period of time. In this time period, these employees can recover from mental and stress problems. This will apply in those cases that go beyond the minimum ESC rules and even the employment contracts. 

How can I get a paid stress leave in Alberta?

You must know that the stress leaves that you want to avail of under the ESC aren’t paid at all. The employers in the province don’t need to pay their staff who apply to get the 16 weeks’ leave. 

In case, you’re an employee regulated by the federation, you can get three to ten days of paid medical leave. However, it will depend on the total length of your service. 

Stress leave in the case of short-term disability

You can have the opportunity to get insurance payments to cover a good amount of your salary with short-term disability insurance. It will help you a lot while being on the stress leave. 

When it comes to qualifying for it, the stress should be enough to render you unable to do your daily work at your workspace. 

Stress leave in the case of long-term disability

In case your stress is pretty extreme and severe, you can apply for long-term disability insurance. With this coverage, you can get regular financial support when the short-term benefits aren’t enough. 

You should know that insurance companies have a knack for denying even true long-term disability claims for a lot of reasons. That’s how they’re able to generate such a huge amount of profit. 

Let’s say that you’re not being able to do your daily professional tasks because of an illness or injury. Along with this, you have great support from the doctors who are associated with your case; then you are entitled to the insurance policy. 

Final Thoughts

No one wants to take stress leave happily. They must be going through a great amount of stress and even anxiety that has made them make the decision to apply for a stress leave. That’s why, you must know the ins and outs around the stress leave in Alberta to be better prepared to apply for a stress leave. By knowing about the system of applying for a medical leave in Alberta, you’ll be all set to help yourself and other people as well who’re seeking stress leave. So, go ahead and apply for the stress leave along with hoping for the best!