New B.C. return-to-work requirements start

VICTORIA – New rules concerning return-to-work requirements for injured workers in British Columbia are now in effect.

The requirements, which began Jan. 1, will support a more effective and fair workers’ compensation system in the province and help restore workers to their previous employment status after suffering an injury on the job, a Government of B.C. release stated.

All employers and injured workers in B.C. will have a new legal duty to co-operate both with each other and WorkSafeBC to make sure workers can return to their previous jobs or other suitable work. Employers and workers are required to maintain communication, identify suitable work for the worker and provide WorkSafeBC with required information to support its return-to-work efforts.

Any employer with 20 or more workers who has employed someone for at least one year before an injury will have an obligation to maintain that worker’s employment, the release stated, adding they must “make any necessary changes to the work or workplace to accommodate the injured person, unless the changes create an undue hardship.”

“The requirements will help WorkSafeBC oversee the return-to-work process by laying out clear expectations. WorkSafeBC has the authority to reduce or suspend benefits of workers and apply penalties to employers who fail to comply,” the release said.

The rules are part of changes made to the Workers’ Compensation Act which were finalized in Nov. 2022.

More information about the rule changes are available for workers here and for employers here.