USJE is inviting legal assistants, clerks, and support staff from Justice Canada and PPSC to take part in a study about the stress they experience on the job. By participating in a one-hour interview, employees will help USJE advocate for improved mental health supports, reduced workloads and better compensation.
USJE recognizes that, increasingly, certain federal public safety personnel, including legal assistants, clerks and support staff are experiencing higher rates of job stress which can lead to occupational stress injuries. Further, USJE is quite aware that there are very limited psychological supports available to federal public service employees who work within the criminal justice system.
By virtue of working within the criminal justice system, employees are more likely to interact with criminalized persons, traumatic, violent and/or graphic materials as well as have exposure to incidents that can lead to post-traumatic stress and related injuries. This includes legal assistants, clerks, and other support staff.
This current research study led by USJE builds on previous research undertaken by USJE with federal Parole Officers and Detachment Assistants within the RCMP.
USJE has forged a strong relationship with one of Canada’s leading public safety researchers, Dr. Rose Ricciardelli, who is in charge of the study and is well-respected for her work, and who is sensitive to the realities of federal public safety personnel.
If you would like to be interviewed, the interview will be approximately 60-75 minutes and be conducted by phone. You can do the interview outside of work hours. You will be asked by a qualified researcher about your experiences of occupational stresses and well-being on the job. Your name and your specific answers will not be relayed to your employer.
Like most studies, your confidentiality will be protected.
Participation in this study is voluntary and is not a requirement of USJE or your employer. Neither the USJE or your employer will be informed of who does or does not participate.
To participate, or to receive more information about this study, please contact:
Brittany Mario
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Email: usjeinfosesj@mi.mun.ca
Rosemary Ricciardelli
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Email: usjeinfosesj@mi.mun.ca
Phone: 905 434 0807 or 709 864 7446
The proposal for this research has been reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in Human Research and found to be in compliance with Memorial University of Newfoundland’s ethics policy. If you have ethical concerns about the research, such as your rights as a participant, you may contact the Chairperson of the ICEHR at icehr.chair@mun.ca or by telephone at 709-864-2861. This study is being funded in part by USJE.