Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board

IAIABC: Please provide a description of your organization. 

Phil Germain, CEO, Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board:

• Number of employees: approximately 520
• Years in Business: 92 years
• Location: The Province of Saskatchewan, Canada
• Organizational Vision: Prevent injuries and restore abilities

The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) strives to be a customer centric organization that seeks to add value through the prevention of workplace injuries & fatalities, prevention of work disability, and safe return-to-work. Employers in certain industries are required by law to register with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Saskatchewan. WCB covers approximately 80% of all workers in our jurisdiction. Other employers can voluntarily register with us. We register employers and maintain their accounts, establish premium rates, and register, adjudicate and manage claims. WCB has 2 formal levels of appeal for both claims & premiums related issues: the Appeals Department and the Board Appeal Tribunal.

IAIABC: What do you see as some of the major challenges the industry is facing, and how can we as a community address them?

PG: Understanding how to work across insurance organization and social systems to holistically prevent work disability and return people to work. Instead of getting caught up in a conversation about whether or not an injury or pre-existing condition is “work related” we could/should seamlessly work across organizations and systems to make sure we treat the work and non-work-related issues in concert to create the best outcome for the workers, employers, and society.  For example:  The impacts of primary and secondary psychological issues on creating good outcomes for our customers.

IAIABC: Are there any projects/programs/initiatives going on at your organization that you are particularly excited or enthusiastic about?

PG: We have just finished year one of a 5-7 year business transformation that will see us reimagine every aspect of our business including, processes, technology and upskilling our management & staff to work in this ever evolving world of workers’ compensation.

IAIABC: Why is your organization a member of the IAIABC? What would you tell others about the benefits of membership?

PG: The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board benefits in many ways by being a member of the IAIABC. First and foremost, we have learned so much from other members.  The members and staff of IAIABC support each member to be successful by helping us overcome our respective challenges and identify opportunities to improve.  We are all in different places along our respective journey’s toward excellence.  The IAIABC and its members enables us to take that journey with others and accelerate that roadmap to excellence by learning from through successes and challenges of others.