New return-to-work requirements for injured workers come into effect January 1st

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — New requirements to ensure workers can return to their jobs after suffering a workplace injury will come into effect on January 1st, according to the provincial government. 

The requirements will help restore workers to their previous employment status after suffering an injury on the job and will support a more fair and effective workers’ compensation system within the province. 

As of January 1st, all employers and injured workers in B.C. will have a new legal duty to cooperate with each other and with WorkSafeBC to ensure workers can return to their previous jobs or other suitable work. 

The new legal duty requires employers and workers to maintain communication, identify suitable work for the worker and provide WorkSafeBC with the required information to support return-to-work efforts. 

An employer with 20 or more workers who has an employee for at least one year before an injury occurs will have an obligation to maintain that worker’s employment. The employer must make any necessary changes to the work or workplace to accommodate the injured person unless the changes create an undue hardship. 

The new 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 new requirements were part of changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act, which were finalized in November of 2022. 

More information about return-to-work requirements for workers can be found here, and requirements for employers can be found here.