Newfoundland and Labrador WHSCC scores second-lowest
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A Small Business Assessment of Workers' Compensation
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A Small Business Assessment of Workers' Compensation
CFIB nation-wide comparison of Workers' Compensation Boards
New groundbreaking research, A Small Business Assessment of Workers' Compensation, from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reveals that overall all workers' compensation boards in Canada are doing a poor job in meeting the needs of small business. This comprehensive assessment of workers' compensation boards, through the lens of small business owners, focuses on all major areas: cost of premiums; claims management; experience rating; classification and assessment; coverage; long-term fiscal sustainability; and customer service.
In this province, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) received the second-lowest score, and according to Bradley George, director of provincial affairs for CFIB, the results were not surprising. "The study found small business owners have poor views of WHSCC's classification system and there are unfriendly practices at WHSCC, such as the inability for small firm owners to pay their assessments, based on actual payroll," said George, who acknowledges that WHSCC's recently-announced improvements to its interest-free payment plan are a step in the right direction. "The reality is, however, given the overall score for WHSCC, many more positive announcements are needed to make the system more small business friendly."
Workplace safety and having a good plan for covering workplace injuries is a priority for everyone so it is critical that boards are well run -- this includes keeping paperwork manageable and costs reasonable for employers. "Businesses are solely responsible for funding workers' compensation through mandatory employer premiums. Premiums are a tax on payroll that must be remitted, and the high cost of premiums can make it difficult for small firms to increase their employee wages, invest in their business and create jobs. It is crucial that boards take action based on findings in this report," said Doug Bruce, CFIB's vice-president, research.
This is the first time workers' compensation boards have been subject to this kind of scrutiny and comparison. "Quite frankly, the results are unacceptable and the boards have much work to do to meet the needs of their small business clients," concluded Bruce.
