ARTICLE · 19 JUNE 2023

Update: Employers Can Provide Feedback On Interpretation Of New B.C. Return-to-Work Requirements

Lawson Lundell LLP

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As we previously reported, the B.C. Government amended the Workers Compensation Act (the "WCA Amendments") to impose new obligations on B.C. employers in respect of the return of injured workers to their job.

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Samantha Andison

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As we previously reported, the B.C. Government amended the Workers Compensation Act (the "WCA Amendments") to impose new obligations on B.C. employers in respect of the return of injured workers to their job.

Effective January 1, 2024, B.C. employers will have a statutory obligation to return injured workers to their job. These employers will have a new statutory duty to return injured workers to their pre-injury work or alternative work of equal value and pay, in addition to the duty to accommodate returning workers to the point of undue hardship, if they employ more than 20 workers. The WCA Amendments also create a new mutual duty for all employers and injured workers to cooperate with one another to support the worker's return to employment. Failing to comply with these new statutory duties may result in administrative penalties to employers.

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