The results of a major health survey, involving more than half of CBC/Radio-Canada’s 9,000 employees, are in. And they paint a disturbing picture: a situation that corporate management and CBC/Radio-Canada’s unions recognize is in need of immediate attention.

The survey was conducted by Laval University’s Dr. Jean-Pierre Brun, a leading authority on workplace and organizational health. Its main purpose was to assess the extent of work-related mental health problems as well as the organizational factors perceived by employees to be a risk for their mental health. Click here for a letter from Dr. Brun and a summary of his report.

The key finding of the survey is that when it comes to psychological well being at work, almost half of those employees who took part are considered to be at high risk of psychological distress. The report identified the principal risk factors for the majority of employees that can lead to burnout and depression.

Dr. Brun’s full report is available on the CBC Intranet at http://intranet/hr_hses_en/wellness/. Plans are also underway to establish a forum for employee questions and feedback.
While Dr. Brun says the report presents a troubling state of affairs, he says the good news is that we can do something about it. He has provided a number of recommendations that the parties have agreed to pursue.

Dr. Brun presented his findings this week to senior management and representatives from all CBC/Radio-Canada unions at a meeting of the Working Group on Employee Health Care. CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Robert Rabinovitch also attended the meeting. Mr. Rabinovitch acknowledged that there are structural and systemic problems right through the Corporation and that it’s time for action, not words. He said that “the actions we take as a result of this report will be the true measure of success.”

A joint implementation committee has been created which will examine the report, review the recommendations and devise an action plan by the end of April 2006. The committee will have the expertise and advice of Dr. Brun throughout this process.

Some of the problems identified in the survey are complex and their solutions will take time. However, it is agreed that positive solutions must be implemented quickly. The committee will begin to focus on some short-term measures to address issues around the lack of employee recognition and the lack of civility in the workplace. These issues are part of a larger picture however, and the solutions to the overall problem of psychological ill health will necessarily be broad and varied.

CBC/Radio-Canada management and the unions began this survey in partnership through the Consultative Committee on Staff Benefits (CCSB). We believe that by continuing to work together we will find the way to a healthier workplace. In the coming weeks we will tell you more about the programs and initiatives that result from the study.

CBC/Radio-Canada
Canadian Media Guild
Association des r?alisateurs
Association of Professionals and Supervisors
Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique
Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada
Syndicat des technicien(ne)s et artisan(e)s du r?seau fran?ais