WCB report urges change in culture of organization

System of providing benefits must be ‘worker centred,’ panel suggests

The Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board needs a culture change to become “worker centred,” a panel has concluded after a yearlong review.

Alberta’s labour ministry released a 189-page report Thursday by a three-member panel that took a deep look inside the system that compensates workers who are injured or fall sick on the job.

The panel made 60 recommendations, 27 of which would require amending laws or provincial regulations.

The changes would help the board put people before policies, the panel said in an executive summary.

Most injury claims are handled smoothly and quickly, the panel said. When they aren’t, it’s a boondoggle.

“Indeed, the biggest failing of the system right now is not the level of benefits it provides, but how its overall decision-making impacts the lives and livelihoods of workers and employers,” the panellists said.

Reforms to the system are long overdue, said Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan.

He was disappointed that the panel said it lacked the time or expertise to make recommendations about how the board sets premium rates for employers.

At an average of $1.02 per $100 on the payroll, Alberta’s rates are the lowest in the country.

“The result is that we have an overly bureaucratic system that all too often denies injured Albertans the help and support they need,” McGowan said.

McGowan also wanted the panel to address allegations some employers discourage workers from filing injury claims to avoid having their premiums increase.

The panel recommended an independent study on rate setting, and an examination of whether rate policies improve workplace safety.

The panel also recommended improving or expanding some worker benefits, which would cost employers about six cents more per $100 paid to workers.

A proposed rate increase is disappointing to Alberta Chambers of Commerce president and CEO Ken Kobly.

The change sounds small, but could have a large effect on costs, he said.

He is also concerned the panel recommended any surpluses from an accident fund should not be returned to employers, as they are now.

Before it makes any legislative changes, government must meet face-to-face with employers and workers affected, Kobly said.

“If we can afford to spend six months and dollars on radio advertising to consult Albertans on the change to daylight-saving time, surely to God we can spend that amount of time consulting on proposed changes to the WCB,” he said.

The review panel, which spent $2.3 million and 16 months examining the system, was chaired by human resources consultant Mia Norrie.

Labour lawyer John Carpenter represented workers’ interests, and Covenant House lawyer Pemme Cunliffe was an employer representative.

Some of the recommendations include:

Create a “fair practices office” ■ to act as an ombudsperson for the system.

Oblige employers to return an ■ injured employee to work.

Allow workers to choose their ■ medical professionals, as long as they meet WCB criteria.

Remove the chief executive officer ■ from the board of directors.

Expand the legal definition of ■

“first responder” to include correctional officers and emergency dispatchers. First responders are eligible for post-traumaticstress-disorder coverage.

Award a $40,000 lump-sum ■ payment when a worker dies on the job.

Ensure injured workers keep ■ their employee health benefits.

In a written statement, Labour Minister Christina Gray said the government will review the recommendations “over the coming months” before considering any changes to legislation.