Island Health’s new fatigue policy is worsening staff shortages and burnout, union leaders warn, as overtime restrictions leave care teams stretched thin.
Policy Sparks Controversy Among Health-Care Workers
Vancouver Island’s regional health authority, Island Health, is facing backlash from multiple health-sector unions over a newly implemented fatigue policy that restricts employees from working more than 16 hours in a 24-hour period. Introduced this spring, the policy aims to reduce worker injuries and sick time by ensuring proper rest. However, union leaders say it is having the opposite effect—exacerbating staffing shortages and fuelling burnout among already strained health-care teams.
Health Authority Cites Safety and Cost Concerns
In a written statement, Island Health defended the policy, stating that it prioritizes employee well-being and patient safety. The authority clarified that overtime has not been eliminated but is being more strictly regulated to prevent “inordinate” scheduling patterns. The statement also hinted at financial motives, noting efforts to reduce shifts worked at “premium rates of pay.”
Union Leaders Raise Red Flags
Sarah Kooner, president of the Health Sciences Association of B.C., said the policy has backfired by limiting overtime options when they are often the only solution to fill critical gaps. “Our members know that in the face of chronic staffing shortages, overtime is often the only way to ensure patients receive the care they need,” Kooner said. She also warned that service delays—such as slower discharge assessments by occupational therapists—are clogging emergency rooms and affecting patient flow.
Support Staff and Nurses Also Impacted
The Hospital Employees’ Union and the B.C. Nurses’ Union have echoed these concerns. Support roles such as care aides and housekeepers are reportedly being denied overtime, leaving nurses to absorb extra responsibilities. Adriane Gear, president of the B.C. Nurses’ Union, emphasized the unsustainable burden this places on her members. “The burnout factor for nurses alone should be enough to reconsider the strategy,” she said.
Leaked Memo Reveals Restrictive Implementation
A leaked internal memo dated July 11 further revealed the rigidity of the policy’s rollout. It instructed that no overtime be approved for health care assistants, nursing unit assistants, or for general workload coverage—unless an appeal is made to senior leadership due to significant impact.
Layoffs Add to Mounting Pressure
The policy rollout comes amid financial strain within Island Health. Last week, the authority laid off 117 employees and confirmed more job cuts are expected. The layoffs, paired with the fatigue policy, have intensified pressure on the remaining workforce.
Looking Ahead
While Island Health maintains its policy is aimed at sustainability and safety, unions warn the measures are undermining both staff welfare and patient care. As staffing levels remain stretched thin, health-care professionals are calling for a reassessment of how fatigue and overtime are managed in British Columbia’s medical system.
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