The WSIB’s review began November 2010 with interim policies effective December 1, 2010. After reviewing submissions from worker/labour stakeholders, employers and WSIB internal staff, the draft policies were revised for further comment from worker/labour stakeholders and employers In May and June. Final recommendations were taken into consideration when putting them into policy, taking effect July 15, 2011. Changes include:
- The NEER policy has extended the NEER window from three to four years beginning with the 2008 injury year. With the new NEER policy, employers will see a change on their December 2011 quarterly NEER statement reflecting the change from a three-year to a four-year window.
- New Work Reintegration policies integrate the legislative provisions of Early and Safe Return to Work, Re-employment, and Labour Market Re-entry noting all decisions made between December 1, 2010 and July 15, 2011 under the interim policies will remain in effect.
- The primary focus of the new policies is to return injured/ill workers back to work with their injury employer to the extent possible. There is now more detail about an employer’s re-employment obligations together with factors the WSIB would not consider to be non-co-operation.
- Clarification that the WSIB will first look to the availability of suitable occupations with the injury employer and the local labour market before looking at the availability of suitable occupations in the broader labour market for Labour Market Re-entry programs.
More information may be reviewed at:
The WSIB has also raised 2012 Premiums. See: