In 2024, we embarked on the first year of our new five-year strategic plan. Through this plan, we reaffirmed our commitment to deliver exceptional service to our clients and adapt to the changing landscape of work in Alberta. We also introduced three new strategic priorities that focus on improving client access to health care, maintaining the financial sustainability of our system and investing in our organization’s people and culture. In the first year of this plan, we not only met but exceeded what we set out to do.

Maintaining a strong, stable system

WCB and the Board of Directors continue to do everything in our power to balance system affordability for employers and fair benefit payments for workers. We continue to safeguard the Accident Fund through a measured approach to funding and responsible financial stewardship. As part of our efforts to preserve financial sustainability, we are in the third year of a multi-year plan to close the gap between the premiums employers pay and the amount required to cover claim costs in a given year. This measured approach aims to ease the financial impact on employers while further reducing this rate-setting gap. Our strategy is proving successful and the rate-setting gap decreased from 20 cents per $100 in assessable earnings in 2023 to 15 cents in 2024.

Alberta’s impressive economic growth in 2024 led to a 6% increase in payroll reported by employers. In the context of a strong economy and an increase in workers covered by our system, we saw a remarkable 3% decline in the number of workers who missed time from their jobs due to a workplace injury or illness compared to the previous year. When workers did miss time from work, they returned to their jobs two days sooner. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of WCB, our partners and many people across our province who played a crucial role in helping workers recover and return to work.

Helping Albertans get back to work and back to life

The most important thing we do is help Alberta workers return to work. This is a critical part of injury recovery and protects the livelihoods of people who have been hurt on the job. It is our core purpose and we have seen the people in our care consistently achieve meaningful outcomes. Last year, we were able to assist 94% of injured workers with their return to work. By focusing on good communication and proactive care planning, we helped 89% of newly injured workers return to work within four months of their injury or illness.

Our partnership with workers and employers has led to successful collaboration, ensuring a better workers’ compensation system for all. We value our clients’ input, and we regularly invite their feedback to guide us in keeping our system resilient and responsive. When employers told us they needed more help to provide effective disability management supports in their workplaces, we developed new tools and services.

Similarly, we heard from workers who want more opportunities to collaborate in their recovery and return-to-work journey. We have empowered these workers through enhancements to our online services. By proactively identifying opportunities, like modified tasks they can do in their workplace while they recover, workers can take the lead in their return-to-work planning. This open and collaborative approach facilitates a smoother transition back to work and supports their overall well-being.

Foundations for a bright future

Technology plays a key role in the work we do. By integrating new tools and expanding self-service offerings for our clients, we deliver convenient options to enhance their experience. Most importantly, we prioritize our clients’ peace of mind by safeguarding their information and reinforcing our cybersecurity protections.

Even with the right tools and technologies in place, we know that exceptional service and outcomes for our clients would not be possible without our incredible staff. Like many employers in the province, we need to effectively and efficiently recruit, onboard, train and retain staff while ensuring a seamless transfer of knowledge from experienced staff to new team members. This fusion of expertise and new energy has resulted in stronger, more dynamic teams who are equipped to face the future. Through a period of transition and change, our staff’s ability to meet and exceed the goals in our five-year strategic plan is truly commendable. We will continue to invest in their success as part of our foundation for the future.

Together, we’re building a stronger system

When we reflect on our collective accomplishments in 2024, it is clear that our progress has positioned us well for the future, and we are not taking these results for granted. We are thankful for our partners, clients and staff for their contributions to improving our system. We aim to build on this momentum and look forward to celebrating more shared successes in the years ahead.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, our executive leadership team and all staff at WCB, thank you for your commitment to helping Alberta’s injured workers recover and return to work.