WCB coverage and Horseplay
Last year a scuffle broke out between a man and a lady coworker in an Edmonton office building. Words were exchanged and the two combatants had to be physically separated. After the dust settled, the male employee vented his frustration on a nearby office door, striking it with his fist and breaking multiple bones in […]
Bill 30’s impacts on WCB Premiums
COVID-19 is causing unprecedented levels of depression and anxiety in employees. Employers beware.–When a worker in a high-risk occupation experiences trauma that leads to psychological suffering, entitlement to benefits is generally automatic. This ‘presumptive coverage’ is appropriate and fair in the context of objectively ‘acute’ trauma, i.e. specific, sudden, and otherwise horrifying experiences traceable to […]
Insomnia driving WCB Claims
With its plagues, riots, and murder hornets, 2020 has ushered in a golden age of sleeplessness. Marathon worrying sessions coupled with mass disruption to daily routines—from exercise to eating habits—has wrought havoc on circadian rhythms the world over. To the wakeful, insomnia can feel like the loneliest affliction in existence. But an estimated third of […]
Unveiling of CSA Z1011:20 Standard for Disability Management
Employers understand the value of worker engagement and retention, but there’s a growing awareness concerning the risk and cost of absence and disability. In respect of this expanded awareness, CSA Group has announced the unveiling of Z1011:20 Standard, Work Disability Management System. As the first standard of its kind in the world, Z1011 will help […]
Pharmacogentics: The Future of Disability Management
A mid 90’s cult classic, Gattaca depicts a dystopian future in which genetically-enhanced elites rule over lesser “organic” humans. Some 25 years after its release, the scientific advancements underpinning Gattaca’s theme are quickly becoming reality. One such example is pharmacogenetics, the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs. This new field combines […]
WCB Claims for Mental Injuries are Imminent
From Canadian HR Reporter: According to a new survey from Sun Life, more than half of Canadians (56%) say that COVID is harming their mental health, and 42% are currently seeking treatment for support. Among those actively seeking help, 64% are reaching out to friends and family and 62% are staying busy while at home. […]
Psychedelics and Disability Management
Former cannabis executives are betting psychedelic drugs could be the next big thing. “There’s a lot of untapped value in psychedelic substances because they’re [illegal],” said JR Rahn, founder of Toronto-based MindMed, which counts Canopy founder Bruce Linton and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary among its early investors. If you want to get a feel […]
COVID aftermath on Mental Health
‘A new Deloitte study suggests Canadians, especially women, will face a potentially explosive increase in mental illness for years after the pandemic is finally over.’ –Globe and Mail. Deloitte estimates that the post-pandemic level of doctor visits for mental health and addiction issues will be 54-163% higher than it was before 2020 – a range […]
Appeal WCB Corona Claim?
Question of the week: My worker is on WCB for a coronavirus infection. His position is home-based and he rarely visits the office, nor has be been making in-person sales calls. Should we appeal? Answer: You can and you should appeal if work-relatedness is in doubt. COVID-19 isn’t (yet) recognized as an occupational disease, and […]
COVID-19 and WCB Coverage
“Workers covered by….(WCB) legislation would be unable generally to sue their employer but would have to utilize that mechanism, although Workers’ Compensation branches in different provinces have issued bulletins and have different policies respecting who might be covered. Given the two-year limitation period, we may not see these lawsuits for some time, but a harbinger […]