Fact sheets
This series of fact sheets provides you with information on a variety of topics. If you still have questions, or can't find the information you're looking for, please contact us.
Account information
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New account holders
Find out more about your responsibilities as an employer, what optional personal coverage is, as well as the online services available through myWCB.
Alberta employer performance data
Appeals
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Claim file disclosure
When there’s a claim file disclosure request, personal information is protected and appropriately released under the Workers’ Compensation and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Acts.
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Employer appeals consulting
It's important that you understand the claim decisions associated with your account. We can help you understand the policies, legislation and facts used to make a decision.
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Interim relief
Learn about interim relief while waiting for a decision on an issue under review or appeal.
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Payment of interest on retroactive premiums appeal decisions
Interest is paid to you if the Appeals Commission awards you with a refund on the premiums you've already paid.
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Questioning a WCB-Alberta decision
If you disagree with a decision on your account, there's a process in place if you'd like to have the decision reviewed.
Claims and benefits
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Medical investigation benefits
This fact sheet outlines when wage loss benefits may be paid during a medical investigation.
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Claims correspondence
You can receive most of your claims correspondence online through myWCB. If you sign up for this option, all claim-related correspondence will automatically be sent electronically. The exception is correspondence with attachments and resends, which will still be sent by mail or fax.
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Cost of living adjustment (2021)
For compensation purposes, a worker’s benefits reflect his or her earnings at the time of injury. The annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) restates the worker’s date-of-accident earnings in current dollars so today’s benefits reflect the worker’s real wage loss.
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Employment health benefits
You're required to continue to pay the health benefits of your injured workers—they are entitled to the same benefits they had before the accident.
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No time-lost claims processing
This fact sheet outlines the steps used for processing a no-time-lost claim. This is when a worker returns to regular duties without losing time from work beyond the day of injury and doesn't have a permanent disability.
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Requesting a claim file
Find out how you can request a copy of your worker's claim file for appeal or cost relief purposes.
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T5007 summary report
This is a list of your employees who will receive a T5007 tax form from WCB.
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Transferring claim costs
There are times when claim costs can be transferred to another employer when it's determined that the claim was a result of negligence on the part of the other employer or their worker.
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Workplace fatalities
Information on the benefits and services available to the surviving dependants of an employee lost in a workplace fatality.
Coverage
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Critical incidents: Management and stress debriefing
Learn what is considered to be a “critical incident”, the importance of having a planned response and how to conduct a critical incident stress debriefing with your employees.
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Critical incident management process
A visual guide to help you prepare, respond and restore in the event of a critical incident in the workplace.
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Reporting a psychological injury: Checklists for employers
When a worker experiences a work-related traumatic event, WCB may ask for information to support the injury reporting forms. These checklists will help you gather what is required to adjudicate these claims.
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Understanding the cause of your worker’s injury
How WCB determines the work relatedness of injuries and compensation coverage.
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Bullying/harassment in the workplace
Every Alberta worker is entitled to a harassment free workplace. Learn which situations are considered bullying or harassment and what you can do as an employer to provide a safe work environment.
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Condominium corporations
Workers' compensation insurance is required by law for employers operating a condominium property if workers are employed.
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Coverage for exempt industries
Not all industries are automatically covered by workers’ compensation insurance. You may voluntarily apply to have your workers protected if you're working in an exempt industry.
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Coverage for workers not otherwise covered under the Act
A deeming order can be used when you hire workers not covered under the Workers' Compensation Act. They will be deemed your workers for compensation purposes while working for you.
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COVID-19 at work
Learn about COVID-19 workplace outbreaks and why claims need to be reported.
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COVID-19 vaccine reactions
Understand when an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine can be accepted by WCB as work-related.
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Employer-provided premises
Key factors are considered when looking at injuries that happen in employer-provided premises.
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Employer-provided transportation
We look at some key factors in determining if these injuries are covered through workers’ compensation coverage.
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Farming coverage
Learn about coverage for farming and ranching operations, including who's
covered and the benefits and cost of this coverage.
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Foreign companies
Foreign companies and their workers may not be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage in Alberta.
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Guaranteed coverage amount for personal coverage
There are guaranteed coverage amounts for more than 130 industries.
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How claims affect your premium
Whether you are a small or large business, learn how claims affect your claims experience.
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Interprovincial transportation
WCBs across Canada have simplified the registration and premium payment process for employers in specified transportation industries.
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Out-of-province coverage
A look at some factors to keep in mind when your workers are working out of province.
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Personal coverage
This is optional coverage for people not automatically covered through the workers' compensation system. This includes business owners with or without workers, partnerships with workers, and directors of a corporation and members of a society, board, authority, commission or foundation.
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Pooling of labour
Pooling of labour happens when a contractor provides services on a contract and hires one or more helpers to complete the contract.
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Presumptive coverage for traumatic psychological injuries
To recognize the challenges in dealing with trauma at work, we provide presumptive coverage for psychological injuries sustained by first responders, emergency dispatchers and correctional officers in specific situations.
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Psychological injuries as a result of stressors that occurred over time at work (chronic onset)
Excessive and unusual stressors that occur over time or one stressor that lasts for a long time at work, can result in a psychological injury that can be personally devastating. A claim for a psychological injury can be accepted when the condition develops as a result of an emotional reaction to these stressors.
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Psychological injuries as a result of traumatic event(s) at work
Experiencing traumatic event(s) at work can result in a psychological injury or stress that can be personally devastating and require treatment to resolve. A claim for a psychological injury can be accepted when the condition develops following exposure to a traumatic event(s) at work.
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Support your employee as they recover from a psychological injury
Find out how you can support your employee during this difficult time.
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Reporting infectious disease exposures
Learn about when you are required to notify WCB if your worker was exposed to an infectious disease.
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Student coverage
Students in college or university are covered through workers' compensation insurance.
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Telecommuting
Telecommuting workers may be covered by workers' compensation insurance.
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Temporary foreign workers
Temporary foreign workers are covered by workers' compensation insurance.
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Wild fire exposures: Smoke
Most instances of exposure to wild fire smoke are not work related, however there are a few exceptions.
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Who do I have to cover?
If you operate in a compulsory industry, you are required to provide coverage for all of your workers.
Injury support services
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Back injury program
The back program incorporates a case plan that uses the combination of early intervention and the identification of modified work as its basis.
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Medical panels
Medical panels provide impartial, independent decision making to resolve medical issues that affect an injured worker's right to compensation.
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Shoulder injury program
This program minimizes the effects of shoulder injuries by using a combination of a specialized assessment and various treatments.
Privacy legislation
Premiums
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Minimum premium
A minimum premium amount is charged to make sure there's an equal distribution of costs among employers.
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Poor performance surcharge (PPS)
PPS applies to employers who have reached the maximum surcharge for their size in the large employer experience rating plan.
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Premium audits
A premium audit is a review of your financial reporting system, verifying the earnings you’ve reported to WCB.
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Premium rate statement
A premium rate statement advises you of discounts or surcharges to your industry rate.
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Premium relief for employers (2020)
Measures taken to provide premium relief for private sector employers in 2020.
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Protecting the workers' compensation system
When someone is intentionally dishonest to obtain money or services to which
they are not entitled, there are repercussions for all of us. Find out more
about how you can help protect the workers' compensation system from misuse.
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Safety associations
Safety associations are a great resource to tap into. They can help you continue to build your safety program, provide you with safety resources, and more. Find out how they can help you.
Industry Custom Pricing (ICP)
Reporting earnings
Reporting an injury
Return to work
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Bringing your injured worker back to work safely
A list of accommodation strategies to consider when bringing your injured worker back to work after an illness or accident.
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Know your obligations after a workplace injury
It's your responsibility to offer your injured worker modified work after a workplace injury or illness.
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Return to work planning meetings
These meetings are used to develop a customized return-to-work plan that ensures your worker can return to work safely.
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Temporary modified work
Temporary modified work includes any changes, restrictions or limitations to your injured worker's regular job duties.
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Training-on-the-job program
This training program is designed to help injured workers who are no longer able to go back to their regular job. The worker develops skills and gains work experience while you receive financial assistance from WCB during the training period.
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Virtual assessments
Secure virtual assessment and treatment services are available from all providers. Find out what this means for you and your worker.
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Work assessments
A work assessment is designed to provide you financial assistance to help an injured worker return to work and learn new skills outside of the date of accident position. It can also be used to determine a worker’s capability for employment or suitability for a specific job or skills area.
Services for employers