WSIB Report Card

I was reviewing some information for a case, when I came across a letter send by then Interim WSIB Chair Jill Hutchenson to the Minister of Labour dated September 30, 2005. The letter made a number of recommendations for further improvements to the system both legislative and policy in the following areas:


1. Return to Work

2. Labour Market Re-entry

3. Deeming of Loss of Earnings Benefits

4. Faster Decision Making

5. Independence for Workers

6. Simplification of Process



Let's see how they have done.



1. Return to Work

Implementation was Scheduled originally for early 2006 we are still waiting for the new policies and I don't expect to see anything soon. Last information update estimated one more year. Grade: Fail



2. Labour Market Re-entry

The LMR plan was to be coordintated with the Return ot Work policies but nothing has been done to make any improvements to the basic need to have meaningful plans that are matched to real jobs that are available. I have seen too many plans that are doomed to fail from the start. Plans need to be realistic given the workers age, academic abilities, all physical and psychological restrictions, both compensable and non compensable. The plan must provide skills that are transferrable and matched to a job that exists in the worker's market area. There is no point in paying thousands for a private college program when the job market demands a University degree to be even considered for a position. The Board needs to stop promising change and act now. Grade: Fail



3. Deeming of Loss of Earnings Benefits

Changes were announce in the recent provincial budget. Hopefully the act gets passed soon. Grade: Provisional Pass



4. Faster Decision Making

After a summer of changing adjudicators and restructuring I have yet to see the faster decision making process. In fact things seem to be slower. Phone calls are still not being returned and implementation of appeal decisions and issuance of cheques is more often a new saga. Promises are fruitless time to see some results. Grade: Fail

5. Independence for workers


While changes have been proposed to provide a 2 1/2% increase to workers this will not create financial independence for these workers. Too little too late. The system must keep up with the cost of living. The de-indexation of benefits in 1985 caused a serious inequity that still has not been corrected. Grade: Fail



6. Simplification of Process


Forms have been redesigned including the Form 7, 8 and the Functional Abilities Form. Now the question which remains is whether the forms work and provide sufficient information to streamline the process. Grade: Pass