Fact sheets

Account information

• Account eligibility
  Learn about the criteria we consider when determining if an applicant is a business owner or a worker.
• 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.

Accountability

• Fairness reviews
  Learn about the fairness review officer and Fair Process Review Centre.
• Private sector privacy legislation
  Your privacy is important to us. Find out what we're doing to protect it.

Alberta employer performance data

• Ministry of Labour and Immigration employer data publication
  Information to help you interpret the data published by the Ministry. This report includes claim counts, injury rates and occupational fatality numbers for Alberta employers.

Appeals

• 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.
• 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.
• Fairness reviews
  Learn about the Fairness Review Officer and Fair Process Review Centre.
• Interim relief
  Learn about interim relief while waiting for a decision on an issue under review or appeal.
• 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.
• 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

• Medical investigation benefits
  This fact sheet outlines when wage loss benefits may be paid during a medical investigation.
• 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.
• Cost of living adjustment
  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.
• 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.
• Requesting a claim file
  Find out how you can request a copy of your worker's claim file for appeal or cost relief purposes.
• T5007 summary report
  This is a list of your employees who will receive a T5007 tax form from WCB.
• 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.
• Workplace fatalities
  Information on the benefits and services available to the surviving dependants of an employee lost in a workplace fatality.

Coverage

• 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.
• Conversations tool kit
  It can be challenging to initiate conversations with a worker who is dealing with life or work stressors. Learn effective strategies for communication that promotes a safe psychological environment for your worker.
• 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.
• Critical incident management process
  A visual guide to help you prepare, respond and restore in the event of a critical incident in the workplace.
• Condominium corporations
  Workers' compensation insurance is required by law for employers operating a condominium property if workers are employed.
• 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.
• 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.
• COVID-19 at work
  Learn about COVID-19 workplace outbreaks and why claims need to be reported.
• COVID-19 and return to work
  Information on how employers can support workers returning to the workplace after recovering from a COVID-19 related illness.
• COVID-19 vaccine reactions
  Understand when an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine can be accepted by WCB as work-related.
• Employer vaccination mandates
  Some employers may require their workers to be vaccinated as a condition of employment. If a worker chooses not to vaccinate, this may impact their eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits and their successful return to work.
• Employer-provided premises
  Key factors are considered when looking at injuries that happen in employer-provided premises.
• Employer-provided transportation
  We look at some key factors in determining if these injuries are covered through workers’ compensation coverage.
• Farming coverage
  Learn about coverage for farming and ranching operations, including who's covered and the benefits and cost of this coverage.
• Foreign companies
  Foreign companies and their workers may not be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage in Alberta.
• Guaranteed coverage amount for personal coverage
  There are guaranteed coverage amounts for more than 130 industries.
• How claims affect your premium
  Whether you are a small or large business, learn how claims affect your claims experience.
• Infectious diseases: general
  Learn when infectious diseases are considered work related and the factors considered to determine coverage.
• Interprovincial transportation
  WCBs across Canada have simplified the registration and premium payment process for employers in specified transportation industries.
• Mental health at work
  You play an important role in your worker’s mental well-being in the workplace. Learn how to recognize mental health concerns at work and helpful strategies to encourage positive mental health and a balanced workload.
• Out-of-province coverage
  A look at some factors to keep in mind when your workers are working out of province.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Support your employee as they recover from a psychological injury
  Find out how you can support your employee during this difficult time.
• Reporting infectious disease exposures
  Learn about when you are required to notify WCB if your worker was exposed to an infectious disease.
• 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.
• Student coverage
  Students in college or university are covered through workers' compensation insurance.
• Team building activities
  Team building activities may be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
• Telecommuting
  Telecommuting workers may be covered by workers' compensation insurance.
• Temporary foreign workers
  Temporary foreign workers are covered by workers' compensation insurance.
• Understanding the cause of your worker’s injury
  How WCB determines the work relatedness of injuries and compensation coverage.
• Wild fire exposures: Smoke
  Most instances of exposure to wild fire smoke are not work related, however there are a few exceptions.
• 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

• 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.
• Medical panels
  Medical panels provide impartial, independent decision making to resolve medical issues that affect an injured worker's right to compensation.
• Shoulder injury program
  This program minimizes the effects of shoulder injuries by using a combination of a specialized assessment and various treatments.

Premiums

• Minimum premium
  A minimum premium amount is charged to make sure there's an equal distribution of costs among employers.
• Poor performance surcharge (PPS)
  PPS applies to employers who have reached the maximum surcharge for their size in the large employer experience rating plan.
• Premium audits
  A premium audit is a review of your financial reporting system, verifying the earnings you’ve reported to WCB.
• Premium rate statement
  A premium rate statement advises you of discounts or surcharges to your industry rate.
• Premium relief for employers (2020)
  Measures taken to provide premium relief for private sector employers in 2020.
• 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.
• 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)

• Industry Custom Pricing (ICP)
  ICP is a voluntary flexible pricing option that allows industries to customize various features of our pricing program. Find out more about participating in ICP and what it means to your industry.
• Industry Custom Pricing experience rating option
  ICP allows some features from the standard experience rating model to be customized.
• Industry Custom Pricing polling process
  Find out more about the polling process involved with ICP.
• Industry Custom Pricing waiving of cost relief option
  What cost relief means, how it works, and how it can affect your claims.
• Industry Custom Pricing participating industries
  A current list of industries participating in ICP.

Reporting earnings

• Canada emergency wage subsidy (CEWS)
  Learn when CEWS is considered assessable earnings so you can accurately complete your annual return.
• Maximum Compensable and Assessable Earnings
  Understand the difference between maximum compensable and maximum assessable earnings and how the amounts are set annually.
• Prorating assessable earnings
  Detailed information if you need to divide your workers’ earnings between accounts, industries and/or provinces.
• Reporting assessable earnings
  You're required to report your worker’s assessable earnings at the end of February each year in your annual return.
• Tips and gratuities
  Find out more about how tips and gratuities affect assessable earnings.

Reporting an injury

• My worker is injured...what do I do?
  Know what your responsibilities are when your worker is injured.
• Reporting compensable earnings
  You're required to report your worker's earnings on the Employer Report of Injury when your worker has lost income following a work injury. Find out what earnings you need to report.

Return to work

• 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.
• Duty to cooperate
  Workers and employers both have a duty to cooperate in all aspects of a worker’s safe return to work. Find out more about the role you play in your worker’s claim.
• Egregious conduct
  In the event modified work ends or is suspended due to a worker’s egregious conduct, WCB will pay benefits as though the modified work is still in place. Learn more about egregious conduct.
• Know your obligations after a workplace injury
  If your worker’s date of accident was between September 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021, it's your responsibility to offer them modified work after a workplace injury or illness.
• 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.
• Temporary modified work
  Temporary modified work includes any changes, restrictions or limitations to your injured worker's regular job duties.
• Train and Place program
  This program provides group training to a worker that is tailored to your specific employment needs. After training, the worker starts their training-on-the job opportunity with you, continuing to learn and enhance their skills on the job.
• 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.
• Virtual assessments
  Secure virtual assessment and treatment services are available from all providers. Find out what this means for you and your worker.
• 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

• FAQ online services for employers
  Common questions and answers about our online services for employers.
• Online services for employers
  Information about the various online services available on our website including paying your premiums and requesting a clearance.
• Online access to physician's report
  If you've reported your worker's injury online, you will also have online access to the physician, physiotherapy and chiropractic reports submitted electronically.