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   Workers' Compensation - Update
Progress on Action Plan:
Background for the System Strategic Planning Process [click through to below] In 2001, the Government of Nova Scotia appointed the Workers' Compensation Review Committee to conduct a focused review of 28 topics pertaining to Nova Scotia's workers' compensation system. The Committee presented its report (also known as the Dorsey Report) to Government in April 2002. The Committee was comprised of representatives from labour, employers and injured workers. The Dorsey Report contained many recommendations, one of which was to undertake development of a system strategic plan. In its Response Plan to the Report of the Workers' Compensation Review Committee (Appendix A), Government highlighted the importance of engaging key stakeholders in the development of a strategic plan for the workers' compensation and occupational health and safety system. "The Government agrees with the need for strategic planning and is pleased that a new Chair has been appointed to lead this exercise. All agencies and key stakeholder groups will be asked to participate in the development of the strategic plan. Strategic planning is important because from it flows the future legislative, regulatory, policy and administrative change priorities for the system." (Government Response Plan p.4) Government also emphasized "the fine balance that must be struck to ensure a fair workers' compensation system that is characterized by: fiscal sustainability; reasonable assessment rates; fair benefits for injured workers; a strategy for prevention; and strong co-operation and measurable results for the agencies responsible for the system" (Government Response Plan p.2). Progress 2002/03 As an initial step in the system strategic planning process, and in preparation for discussions with stakeholders on where the Workplace Safety and Insurance System should be in the longer term, senior representatives of the four agencies within the Workplace Safety and Insurance System (the Workers' Compensation Board, Workers' Advisers Program, Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal, and the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Environment and Labour – refer to Appendix B) met. These representatives critically examined the current system and identified numerous strengths and weaknesses. Based on these discussions, on November 12, 2002, the Chair issued a discussion document outlining the draft Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals for the Workplace Safety and Insurance System. The discussion document was circulated in advance of the roundtable discussion and made available on the internet. In keeping with the importance of engaging key stakeholders in the development of a strategic plan, on December 5, 2002 a group of system stakeholders participated in a roundtable discussion, providing input and feedback on the proposed Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals, and the future of the Workplace Safety and Insurance System. First Roundtable Discussion The objectives of the roundtable discussion were: 1. To get stakeholders input and feedback on: · the Vision and Mission of the Workplace Safety and Insurance System; · the Strategic Goals for the Workplace Safety and Insurance System; and · the Objectives and Performance Measures for the Workplace Safety and Insurance System. 2. To provide stakeholders with information on the financial implications of the Dorsey recommendations related to changes in benefit levels and the firms and workers covered by workers' compensation and, 3. To enable stakeholders to provide input and feedback to the WCB Board of Directors through the planning process. Through the roundtable discussion, stakeholders had an opportunity to share their views, opinions and perspectives among themselves and with the agencies. Stakeholders who did not attend the roundtable discussion were invited to provide feedback to this stage of the system strategic plan through the internet. Subsequent to the roundtable discussion, the Coordinating Committee used the feedback they received from stakeholders to develop the proposed Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals for Nova Scotia's Workplace Safety and Insurance System. The proposed vision, mission and strategic goals document has again been posted on the internet and distributed to stakeholders to solicit feedback. During the same time period (December 2002), the employees of the Education and Prevention Unit transferred to the WCB. These employees are now completing the transfer of the prevention work from the Department of Environment and Labour, and contributing to the development of the Prevention Strategic Plan, a component of the overall System Strategic Plan. Next Steps: The proposed Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals will be used to guide the further development of the system strategic plan. Throughout the remainder of the planning process, stakeholders are being consulted through a variety of methods including one-on-one discussions, small focus groups or other forms of consultation. The feedback from this consultation will be used to inform the strategic plan and a summary will be prepared and shared with stakeholders prior to the second roundtable discussion. A draft strategic plan will be available for distribution to stakeholders in May. The second roundtable discussion will be held in late May to invite feedback on the draft strategic plan. Stakeholders will again be invited to also provide input and feedback though the internet. Links: Nova Scotia Environment and Labour - Publications Worker's Compensation Board Related: 2002 Action Plan - Workers' Compensation Premiums  |
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