What is Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation is insurance for workers and employers. Employers pay for this insurance. Workers' compensation is the law.
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What is the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB)?
Workers' compensation is essentially a form of social insurance. Employers pay assessments into a common fund, out of which benefits are paid to workers or their dependents.
The four key elements and founding principles of workers' compensation are:
No-Fault Compensation - Compensation is available to injured workers regardless of negligence on the part of the workers, co-workers or employers. In return, workers surrender their right to sue their employers for liability.
Collective Liability - Employers share the cost of compensating injured workers.
Independent Administration and Adjudication - Workers' compensation administers an insurance program in a manner designed to provide equitable service and protection to both workers and employers.
Exclusive Jurisdiction - Decisions of the WCB are not subject to court review.
Workers' compensation was first introduced to the NWT in 1953. At that time, employers were individually liable for accident costs through private sector insurance. A general accident fund and collective liability for NWT employers became reality in 1977.
In the NWT, the Workers' Compensation Act is governed by a board of seven directors who represent the interests of labour, industry and the public sector. Of these members, one is appointed chairperson of the Board. Term appointments to the Board of Directors are made by the Minister for the Workers' Compensation Board. The WCB does not report to a minister, but rather, through a minister, to the NWT Legislative Assembly.
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What Does the WCB Do?
The WCB has four responsibilities. They are:
- to ensure that compensation and pensions are awarded to injured workers or their dependents and are paid in accordance with entitlement;
- to assess employers sufficiently and fairly to meet these obligations;
- to maintain a balance in providing benefits to injured workers while keeping assessment costs to employers as low as possible; and
to promote safe workplaces through education and enforcement. To meet these responsibilities, the WCB has established and maintains adequate reserves, which are called the Accident Fund. The Accident Fund is maintained from the revenue collected from employer assessments and investments.
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Vision
Safe workplaces and fair benefits.
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Mission
Safe workplaces achieved through strong partnerships with employers and workers while providing fair and sustainable benefits.
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Values
The Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut is committed to the following values:
- We treat others honestly, fairly and respectfully.
- We are sensitive and responsive to our clients’ needs.
- We work safely.
- We do what we say.
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