Canadian Human Rights Report on Environmental Sensitivities

As part of its research report series, the Canadian Human Rights Commission has just released a study on The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities:

"Approximately 3% of Canadians have been diagnosed with environmental sensitivities, and many more are somewhat sensitive to traces of chemicals and/or electromagnetic phenomena in the environment. People experience neurological and numerous other symptoms, and avoidance of triggers is an essential step to regaining health (...) This report addresses issues such as the definition and prevalence of environmental sensitivities; recognition by medical authorities; education and training within the medical community; origins, triggers and symptoms of sensitivities; impact of environmental sensitivities in the workplace; government policies and standards for building codes, air quality and ventilation as they affect individuals with environmental sensitivities; and guidelines for accommodation within the workplace".

Other reports in the Commission's research program include:

• National Security and Human Rights Concerns in Canada: A Survey of Eight Critical Issues in the Post-9/11 Environment: "This report examines eight critical issue areas where there is some overlap between national security imperatives and human rights concerns in Canada, post-9/11 (...) The eight issue areas examined include: The evolution of national security policy in Canada since September 11, 2001; New legislative measures; The application of pre-September 11 powers; Key federal government agencies in the national security domain; Measures of accountability and review of national security agencies; Federal government responsibility and capacity to protect Canadians abroad; International liaisons in national security work; The role of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in fostering knowledge"
• Managing the return to work : the human rights perspective: "In many complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission, a dispute arose between employer and employee when the employee returned to work after a prolonged absence, such as sick leave, a workplace accident or maternity leave (...) The purpose of this paper is to describe how matters stand in relation to employees returning to work after a prolonged absence. The issues raised in our research may be used to develop guidelines for employers to facilitate efficient management of absences that respects the fundamental rights of employees. The first part of the paper surveys the characteristics of long-term absenteeism in Canada. The second addresses the means available to employers for monitoring the state of an absent employee's health, while respecting his or her fundamental rights. The third deals with protection from discrimination provided by the Canadian Human Rights Act and the resulting duty to accommodate. The fourth gives
  examples of accommodation measures required by the courts in cases of drug or alcohol dependence, psychological illness, pregnancy or family obligations. Lastly, the fifth presents a series of measures to facilitate the efficient management of long-term absenteeism."