Policy:

When a work-related injury results in compensable work restrictions that impair a worker's employability at pre-accident insurable earning levels, the WCB will, together with the  eligible worker, develop a plan for appropriate, cost-effective return-to-work services to help the worker return to employability.

There is no requirement under the WCA for employers to rehire injured workers.  However, under human rights legislation, employers have a duty to accommodate workers with disabilities.  Human rights legislation applies to workers' compensation situations in the same way as other disabilities.

When a worker dies as a result of a compensable accident, the dependent spouse or, as of June 1, 2003, the dependent adult interdependent partner is eligible for the same vocational services the worker would have been entitled to, had the worker lived.

This policy is effective September 1, 2001, unless noted otherwise within a specific policy section(s).

Interpretation

1.0 Compensable Work Restrictions

Compensable work restrictions are based on an assessment of the medical conditions (physical and/or psychological) which resulted from the work-related injury.  Work restrictions impair a worker's ability to perform pre-accident work duties or to adapt to some other employment.  For example,  the worker's compensable condition prevents return to pre-accident or comparable employment, or the worker suffers from a disabling or potentially disabling occupational disease and continued exposure would be harmful).  The WCB identifies work restrictions, based on medical and vocational information about the worker.  The restrictions may be temporary or permanent.

2.0 Employability

The WCB has no control over several factors that affect a worker's return to  employment.  These factors include:

• economic conditions,
• the availability of employment opportunities,
• the worker's effort and commitment to find employment,
• an employer's decision about whom to hire.

Because these factors are beyond WCB control, the WCB is responsible for helping the worker achieve employability, not employment.  The WCB will help the worker identify and develop the skills and capabilities to competitively pursue employment.

The WCB considers a worker employable when suitable work has been identified which the worker is capable of performing.  To be suitable,  work must meet the following conditions:

• the work can be performed without endangering the worker's recovery or safety and the safety of others;
• the worker has the skills the work requires;
• the work is reasonably available in a location to which the worker may reasonably commute or relocate.

3.0 Eligible Workers

To be eligible for return-to-work services, the worker must be entitled to benefits under  s.56 of the Act.  As return-to-work is a cooperative effort, services are also dependent on the commitment and determination of workers to return to the workplace.  If a worker chooses not to cooperate, the WCB may suspend or terminate services.

4.0 Return-to-work plan

The plan includes details and costs of the services to be used in helping the worker return to employability.  The plan also includes an estimate of the worker's earning capacity on completion of the plan.  The plan will form the basis of any estimation of the worker's earning capacity for calculating earnings loss.

5.0 Appropriate and Cost-Effective

The WCB will consult with the worker to jointly develop an appropriate and  cost-effective return-to-work plan that is consistent with the worker's abilities, skills, and potential.  The return-to-work plan is considered appropriate if the worker has a reasonable probability of successfully achieving the vocational goal.

In most cases, the WCB determines cost-effectiveness by comparing:

a)  the total estimated costs of required vocational services,

b)  the remaining  compensation benefits that the worker is entitled to,

c)  the estimated cost of alternative return-to-work plans, and

d)  the estimated benefit costs if no return-to-work services are provided.

For workers with severe disabilities, other rehabilitation factors may be more important than vocational cost-effectiveness.  Refer to Policy 04-07, Services for Workers with Severe Injuries.

Non-Compensable Rehabilitation Barriers
When a combination of compensable and non-compensable factors delays or prevents a worker's return to employability, the WCB may provide assistance to address the combined problems.  The WCB will not provide assistance when the sole obstacle is non-compensable.

6.0 Services

Services include any reasonable activity or expense required to restore the worker's employability.  The services may include, but are not limited to:

• counselling services
• job clubs
• job search assistance
• relocation assistance
• re-employment assistance
• temporary modified work programs
• training
• vocational assessments
• workplace modifications

7.0 Duty to Accommodate

In accordance with Section 7 of the Human Rights, Citizenship, and Multiculturalism Act, it is the employer's and, where applicable, the union's duty to accommodate a worker's physical or mental disability unless accommodation imposes undue hardship.

This duty imposes specific obligations on employers, unions and workers:

• the employer must take reasonable steps to accommodate an employee‚s individual needs
• the union cannot prohibit an accommodation that is considered reasonable, even if that accommodation contravenes a collective agreement
• the worker must consider an accommodation that is deemed reasonable

The WCB works with the employer, worker, physician and union (where applicable) to facilitate return-to-work that makes reasonable accommodation for a worker‚s work restrictions.

The question for WCB is whether the work is suitable.  The WCB does not adjudicate disagreements or complaints about failure to comply with human rights legislation.  Concerns about discrimination or undue hardship must be filed with the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission.

Please see Part II for additional information on the following subjects:

Application

1. General
2. Temporary Modified Work Programs
3. Job Search
4. Training-on-the-Job
5. Training
6. Relocation
7. Self Employment