In January 2018, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors commissioned an external compensation policy review. The resulting report entitled Restoring the Balance: A Worker-Centred Approach to Workers’ Compensation Policy was published April 2018 and contains a number of recommendations. Recommendation #1 is for WorkSafeBC to consider amending policy item #2.20, Application of the Act and Policies, in the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II, to explicitly incorporate the requirement “the Board must make its decision based on the merits and justice of the case” as required by section 99(2) of the Workers Compensation Act.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper with options on proposed amendments to policy item #2.20 to stakeholders for comment. Proposed deletions of policy wording are identified with a strikethrough and additions are identified in bold.

Discussion paper

There are a number of ways for stakeholders to provide feedback on the options and draft policy amendments:

The consultation period will end on March 29, 2019. The Board of Directors will consider stakeholder feedback before making a decision on policy amendments.

Please note that all comments become part of the Policy, Regulation and Research Division’s database and may be published, including the identity of organizations and those participating on behalf of organizations. The identity of those who have participated on their own behalf will be kept confidential according to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.