Document name
Return to Work – Temporary Helper
Document number
PRO 08/2010
Effective date: April 1, 2010
Application: Claims requiring a temporary helper.
Policy subject: Return to work and vocational rehabilitation
Purpose:
To establish provision of temporary helpers in a return-to-work plan for self-employed or those employed under a contract for service.
BACKGROUND
The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has approved the provision of a temporary helper during a return to work plan in accordance with POL 08/2010, Return to Work – Temporary Helper.
PROCEDURE
- An injured worker with temporary restrictions due to a workplace injury may benefit from the assistance of a temporary helper during the recovery process that will help return the worker to pre-injury duties. Typically, the injured worker requiring the temporary helper will be self-employed or employed under a contract for service. Appendix A provides examples of situations where a temporary helper may be warranted.
- To mitigate loss of earnings, the injured worker may return to work with the assistance of a temporary helper. The helper may complete duties the injured worker is unable to carry out in order to fulfil any contract obligations. As a result, the income generated by the business (self-employed) or employment contract should not be affected.
- For reimbursement, the employer who hires the temporary helper must provide an original receipt detailing the temporary helper’s wages to the Case Manager (CM) or Claims Entitlement Specialist (CES). In some situations, the CM or CES will reimburse the injured worker or will pay the temporary helper directly for their services.
- The CM or CES will compare the helper’s wage with the amount of compensation the injured worker would have been entitled to if he/she had not returned to work. Typically, the helper’s wages will be considerably less than that of the injured worker’s. The amount reimbursed for the helper’s gross wages will not exceed the amount WCB would pay the injured worker for full wage loss compensation.
Policy references
Section heading
Act Sec #
Act Sec #
19, 69, 111, 115
Section heading
Amended
Amended
01 January 2014. References updated in accordance with The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013
Section heading
Supersedes
Supersedes
n/a
Section heading
Complements
Complements