VIDEO · 14 OCTOBER 2014

Stress Leave

Torkin Manes LLP

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One of your employees calls or emails that they are off today due to "stress". That employee provides you with no further information. What can you do or what should you do in the circumstances?

CanadaEmployment and HR

Thomas A. Stefanik

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Tom Stefanik discusses stress leave as part of the Torkin Manes LegalPoint Video Series.

Q. One of your employees calls or emails that they are off today due to "stress". That employee provides you with no further information. What can you do or what should you do in the circumstances?

The answer to this question will depend on a number of facts. Here are some considerations:

Does this employee have a past record or pattern of calling in sick due to "stress"?
If so, are you suspicious of these absences?
Maybe you find that they often occur on a Monday or a Friday or just before or after a scheduled vacation.
Are these absences followed shortly after expressions of displeasure with the employee's performance or after a negative performance evaluation?

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