More than Just a Duty to Accommodate
Michelle McKinnon and Dianne Rideout, Partners at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, provided an in-depth information session entitled “More than Just a Duty to Accommodate’. They discussed the amendments to the Workers Compensation Act thatcame into force on January 1, 2024 and ramifications to employers and employees.
These amendments add a legal duty for workers and employers to cooperate in the worker’s early and safe return to work, as well as a legal duty for employers with 20 or more workers to maintain the employment of injured workers who have been employed with them for at least 12 months.
This amendment provides WorkSafeBC with the authority to reduce or suspend benefits or apply penalties should workers or employers fail to comply. However, WorkSafe BC’s approach will focus primarily on educating stakeholders, providing support to ensure that the injured worker remains employed with their employer, and facilitating the best return-to-work outcomes.
Thank you to Michelle and Dianne!
This presentation was recorded and added to the Video Archive. There is also a supplementary document “Step By Step Guide to BC’s New Duty to Cooperate and Maintain Employment” that members can access.
The next Council meeting will be on March 14th.
