Time to register for WCB Alberta’s Partnership in Injury Reduction program
Annual Experience Rating statements will be released soon for employers across Canada, so it’s a good time to review some of the ways in which you can reduce your future WCB premium rates. Obviously, one way is to not have as many claims, since your WCB claims from the three preceding years are used to calculate your premium rate. So for next year (2026) the number and costs associated with the claims you had in 2022, 2023 and 2024 will determine what you pay in terms of a premium rate. There is one additional way in which Alberta employers can reduce their premium rate, and that is to take part in the WCB’s Partnership in Injury Reduction program. In order to do so, you have to register no later than December 31, 2025. The benefit can be significant: If you qualify, you can get a refund of up to 20 […]
Things to consider before voting for the WCB’s Industry Custom Pricing
A number of industries in Alberta will be voting on Monday, September 15th on whether to join a program the Workers’ Compensation Board calls Industry Custom Pricing or ICP. The WCB describes it as “an optional program that empowers industries to customize various features of their pricing program, giving them greater control over the premiums they pay.” In effect, the ICP program offers industry members lower premium costs in return for giving up the option for cost relief in certain cases (the Cost Relief Option), or for allowing the WCB to modify the rate-setting calculations for that industry (the Experience Rating Option). There’s a good BCL overview of this program with more background and some common questions here. In a nutshell, all the members of a given industry group get to vote on whether to become part of the ICP program, and if companies that represent more than 50% of […]
Why it’s crucial to have an employer representative who specializes in WCB claims
Navigating the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) system can be challenging for any company. It’s not just about understanding the specific laws and guidelines — you also need to know precisely when to intervene, when to challenge a decision, and when to step back. Poorly timed actions can lead to significant expenses, including increased labor, higher claims costs, inflated premiums, and reduced output. If you can’t stay on top of the constant changes and actively manage your WCB claims, your organization might end up paying for costs that aren’t even related to compensable injuries, which can drive up your WCB premiums. Because of these complexities, many businesses choose to engage an employer representative who specializes in the WCB system and claims management. Here are some key benefits: Specialized Knowledge Employer representatives who focus on WCB claims bring invaluable expertise. They are intimately familiar with the WCB system’s complexities, including legal requirements, […]
The first 90 days on the job are critical for safety part four
Note: This is the last entry in a four-part series on the challenges related to an employee’s first 90 days on the job. You can read the first here, the second here, and the third here. A lack of experience and familiarity with new work environments and procedures significantly contributes to the heightened risk of safety incidents during the first 90 days of employment. New employees are often unfamiliar with the specific equipment they will be using and the established safe work procedures for their assigned tasks . This lack of familiarity can lead to errors in operation or judgment, consequently increasing the likelihood of accidents. It’s important to recognize that even individuals with prior work experience can be considered “new workers” when starting a new role or joining a new company due to the unique equipment, procedures, and potential hazards specific to that workplace. Inexperienced employees may also react […]
The first 90 days on the job are critical for safety part three
Note: This is the third in a four-part series on the challenges related to an employee’s first 90 days on the job. You can read the first here, and the second here Employers bear significant responsibilities in creating and maintaining a safe working environment for all employees, and these responsibilities are particularly critical during a new employee’s initial period of employment. The safety process should ideally commence even before the employee’s first day. Employers should integrate safety information into job descriptions, postings, and employment boards to provide potential candidates with a realistic preview of the job and its inherent risks . Asking safety-related questions during the interview process serves as an early introduction to the importance of safety within the organization and can help assess a candidate’s safety mindset . A comprehensive onboarding program with a strong emphasis on safety is paramount. This includes providing new hires with thorough training […]