10 Things to Check on Your 2025 WCB Premium Rate Statement
It’s that time of year again! 2025 WCB Premium Rate Statements will be issued shortly! Your premium rate statement not only advises you of the premium rate you have been assessed for the coming year but also provides you with the information used to calculate your rate. According to current information, WCB 2025 premium rates in British Columbia and Saskatchewan will remain the same as 2024 levels, while Alberta will see a slight increase as part of their multi-year plan to realign premiums and claim costs. Manitoba has not announced their 2025 premium rate yet. The rate-setting process is complex and even the smallest change in the data used can have a significant impact on the amount of premiums you pay. Therefore, it is important to check the following when reviewing your 2025 statement: Is your Company name/address correct? Have your operations or business changed? Are you classified in the […]
Seasonal Joy, Seasonal Risk
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! These days it seems to start immediately after Halloween and as we approach American Thanksgiving it swings into high gear. It’s the Holidays!! Lights and decorations go up inside and out, festive music is everywhere and you can feel the magic in the air. Whether you celebrate or not, there’s no denying it and no avoiding it. As much as we may look forward to the holiday season, it also brings with it a higher risk of workplace accidents and incidents. During periods of peak demand, like the holidays, there are a multitude of factors that converge resulting in an increase of work hazards, especially in the retail, warehouse and delivery sectors. Here are just some of the factors that impact workplace safety this time of year: 1. Increased Workload and Pressure High Order Volumes: Demand for faster order processing and shipping […]
What is a WCB Clearance Letter and Why Do I Need One?
Whether you are an individual contractor or a business, whether you are looking to hire or looking to be hired, ensuring that proper workers compensation (WCB) coverage is in place is essential. Regardless of which side of the transaction you are on, there are benefits to having a WCB Clearance Letter. What is a WCB Clearance Letter? A WCB clearance letter is a document issued by a Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) that confirms a contractor or business is in good standing with its workers’ compensation premiums and coverage. It demonstrates that the company has an active workers’ compensation account, has paid the necessary premiums, and complies with local workers’ compensation regulations. A clearance letter also identifies who is covered and the industry they are covered in. Why You Need a WCB Clearance Letter: For contractors, subcontractors and businesses looking to be hired: Proof of Compliance: It shows that your company […]
What is Partnership in Injury Reduction (PIR) and How to Get Involved
The Time is Now! Register in WCB Alberta’s Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) by December 31, 2024 and to be eligible for PIR refunds for 2024 and 2025 The annual Experience Rating statements will be issued in only a couple of months, so now is a good time for employers to look at ways to maintain or improve their WCB premium rate. In Alberta, your claims experience from the past three years is used to establish your premium rate for the coming year – in other words, your WCB claims from 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be used to determine your premium rate for 2025. Although you can not change past performance, what you do from this point forward can have a significant impact on your WCB premium rates in the future. What Is PIR and How to Get Involved: One way that Alberta employers can realize WCB premium […]
WCB Alberta Return to Work Programs – A Win-Win Approach
It has long been accepted that the sooner a worker can safely get back to work following an injury or illness the more likely they are to have a positive outcome. Even though they may not be completely recovered, just returning to the workplace, in some capacity, can be beneficial to their overall convalescence. The longer an injured or ill worker is away from their work environment, the more protracted and costly their recovery can be. While serious injuries and illnesses may understandably result in longer absences from work, the reality is that the majority of work related accidents are minor, requiring little or no time loss. By offering modified work programs that can be tailored to address the unique needs a worker may face, employers can mitigate claims costs by reducing or eliminating time loss from work while facilitating a safe and successful return to full duties. As a […]