A Closer Look...

The statistics reported by the WCB in the annual report, or in any publication, for that matter, must be closely examined. The reported data is, more often than not, reported in a way to make the WCB look very good in the eye of the stakeholder, government and the public. A closer look, however, reveals the inaccuracy of the figures.

Take, for example, the reporting at page 50 of the 2006 Annual Report of the appeals filed within the year for claims registered within the year. The WCB reports only 66 appeals for 2006 and 218 for 2005. At first glance, the numbers look impressive and indicate the WCB is doing a bang on job of making the right decision at the right time. A closer look, however, reveals a very different impression.

The Worker's Compensation Appeals Tribunal (WCAT) in it's 2007 Annual Report states 1089 appeals were filed during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. The Worker's Advisor Program (WAP) reports quarterly and in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007 reported 423 new files received from April to June, 330 from October to December and 371 from January to March. There was no report for July to September available at the website.

How can the WCB report having only 66 decision appealed when WAP is reporting having received 1124 for three quarters of 2006 and WCAT reports having 1089 appeals filed. Obviously, the numbers reported by WCB are wrong.

At the inaugural stakeholder meeting in 2002, for the first time employers and workers were at the same table discussing workers compensation issues. Surprisingly, and perhaps most disappointing to the WCB, workers and employers agreed on many issues. The common theme amongst attendees at that meeting was the need for WCB accountability. Accountability has remained an important issue since that time.

Stakeholders must hold the WCB accountable. We cannot accept false and inaccurate reporting of statistics . How can we know the true state of the system if the WCB does not report the true state of affairs.

What is the WCB trying to hide... Increasing costs to adjudicate unnecessary appeals? Poor decision making? Lack of accountability within the WCB?

Speak up, challenge the numbers presented by the WCB. The WCB works for stakeholders. It is our system, not the WCB's!

Visit again soon for an article identifying the hidden costs of the WCB's return to work programs.

Til next time,

Stakeholder