Document name

Partnerships and Sponsorships – Corporate and WorkSafe

Document number

POL 04/2022

Partnership, for the purpose of this policy, is a formal agreement entered between an organization and the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) for the purpose of fulfilling common goals over a specified period of time.

Sponsorship, for the purpose of this policy, is an agreement where the WCB provides or receives resources, funding, or in-kind donations for one or more initiatives and/or events for the purpose of fulfilling common goals over a specified period of time.

Donation, for the purpose of this policy, is monetary or non-monetary goods, promotional items and/or services provided by WCB to support community initiatives that positively impact Saskatchewan workers, employers and organizations, WCB staff, and aligns with the WCB’s vision and mission.

1. Through POL 18/2021, Governance Policy, the WCB Board Members are responsible for approving a corporate social responsibility policy which applies to all partnerships, sponsorships and donations across the WCB and WorkSafe Saskatchewan (WorkSafe).
2. The WCB, with WorkSafe Saskatchewan, believe that the support of community groups, non-profit and charitable organizations in the province that align with WCB’s vision and mission can advance corporate objectives, influence public image and reputation, and instill a sense of pride and contribution in its employees.
3. The Board Members give authority to WCB staff to establish partnerships and sponsorships that are aligned with promoting injury prevention and fulfillment of the WCB’s mission, vision, values and beliefs.

General

1. The WCB may enter partnership/sponsorship agreements and provide donations to help achieve the following goals:
   1. Fulfill the WCB’s mission, vision, values, beliefs and corporate goals and strategies.
   2. Fulfill WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s strategic goals and objectives.
   3. Support customers – Saskatchewan workers and employers – to eliminate injuries and restore abilities.
   4. Build relationships with partners, customers and stakeholders within the community.
   5. Enhance awareness of the WCB, the compensation system, safety and prevention initiatives through WorkSafe Saskatchewan.
   6. Gain public promotion, media exposure, and/or other negotiated promotional benefits.
   7. Promote workplace safety and injury prevention in Saskatchewan.
   8. Promote the goal of Mission: Zero meaning zero injuries, zero fatalities and zero suffering.
   9. Any other activities that are determined to be beneficial to the WCB.
2. The WCB has two primary areas that approve partnerships and sponsorships:
   1. Corporate WCB – Support provided through Corporate WCB focuses on initiatives that advance the WCB’s vision and mission, corporate strategies and operational objectives.
   2. WorkSafe Saskatchewan – Support provided through WorkSafe Saskatchewan primarily focuses on injury prevention and the promotion of workplace safety in Saskatchewan.
3. Corporate support may be provided to partners, stakeholders, customers, community groups, non-profit and charitable organizations. This support may include:
   1. Sponsorship opportunities.
   2. Branded materials (e.g., logowear).
   3. Financial support including cash donations.
   4. Access to WCB communication and promotional tools (e.g., WCB websites).
   5. Donations-in-kind.
4. Support through WorkSafe Saskatchewan may be provided to community groups, non-profit and charitable organizations that advance injury prevention and the promotion of workplace safety in Saskatchewan. This support may include:
   1. Partnership opportunities.
   2. Branded materials (e.g., logowear).
   3. Financial support including cash donations.
   4. Research grants. 
   5. Donations-in-kind.

Eligibility Criteria

5. In order to be eligible for any form of support, potential organizations/events must have a mandate that aligns with the WCB’s vision, mission, values, beliefs, corporate strategies and objectives.
    
6. If the organization requesting support has a WCB employer account, applicants must contact WCB’s Employer Services department in order to obtain a Letter of Good Standing prior to acceptance.
    
7. Those ineligible for support opportunities with the WCB include, but not limited to, the following:
   1. Advertisers.
   2. Individuals.
   3. Music groups.
   4. Organizations not registered as a charity or non-profit entity.
   5. Organizations seeking capital investments.
   6. Organizations that compromise the WCB’s image.
   7. Organizations that discriminate on any of the prohibited grounds set out in The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
   8. Organizations that place the WCB in a conflict of interest.
   9. Organizations that promote contentious issues.
   10. Organizations that promote political views.
   11. Organizations that promote religion.
   12. Persons seeking money for individual pursuits (e.g., vacations, field trips, walk-a-thons and marathons).
   13. Groups or activities whose primary audience is not Saskatchewan workers or residents.
   14. Recreational sports organizations, and
   15. Third party funding organizations (e.g., professional telephone solicitors or private charitable foundations).

Eligible Costs

8. Funds provided through partnership agreements are intended to support expenses related to the delivery of projects, programs and initiatives such as wages, supplies and other costs directly related to the delivery of the project.

Application

9. All requests for support, including those procured by the WCB, must submit a funding request and complete the appropriate application form(s).
   1. Application forms for sponsorship or donation opportunities must be submitted to the WCB at least two months prior to a scheduled event (where applicable).
10. Requests for support can be submitted on-line:
    1. Donation and sponsorship requests: wcbsask.com/form/contact.
    2. Partnership requests emailed to: worksafeinquiry@wcbsask.com.
11. Upon receipt of a support request, WCB will contact the external applicant to provide them with an application form or to gather additional information required to make a final decision.
     
12. WCB staff must follow a competitive purchasing process for services or programs procured by the WCB (PRO 07/2012, Procurement Procedure). External requests for support may also be subject to the purchasing process.

Decision

13. Applicants will be advised of a decision by letter or email. This will include the reason for the decision and the determination used in the decision-making process.
     
14. If approved, a signed letter or funding agreement (e.g., contract) must be completed prior to the release of goods, services or funds dependant on the type of support being provided.

Other

15. Organizations or groups that receive support from the WCB are only eligible to receive support from one funding stream (i.e., Corporate WCB or WorkSafe Saskatchewan) within a calendar year. Funding approval is generally limited to one request per organization or group within a calendar year.