Employers and the Workers' Compensation Act

What does the act do?

The Workers' Compensation Act (1992) is a Yukon law that protects both employers and workers against the impact of work accidents and disabilities. It compensates disabled workers and their dependants for lost income, health care and other costs related to a work-related disability. It protects employers from being sued by workers hurt on the job.

What is the principle of collective liability?

Collective liability is the foundation of workers' compensation. It means that employers pool the risk and share the cost of compensating disabled workers.

What do employers get?

This system brings stability and protection to the workplace by sharing the costs of compensation with all employers. In return for paying all costs, employers are protected against legal action if workers are disabled or die in a work-related incident. Employers are also protected against legal action by other workers or employers covered by the Act.

Who administers the act?

The Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB) administers the Act. Cabinet appoints the Board. The Board includes the chair, alternate chair, two members representing workers and two members representing employers. The YWCHSB president is a non-voting member of the Board.

YWCHSB staff make decisions about workers' claims for compensation. Each case is considered on its own merits. Workers and employers may appeal a claim's decision through an internal review and then a second level of appeal, but they cannot appeal to the courts. Employers may appeal an assessment decision to an appeal panel of the Board.