FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2018
St. John’s, NL – WorkplaceNL has met its 2017 performance objectives in the areas of financial sustainability, injury prevention, facilitating recovery at work and fostering a client-centered culture. WorkplaceNL’s 2017 Annual Performance Report has been tabled in the House of Assembly.
The injury rate remained stable, at an all-time low of 1.5 per 100 workers in 2017. Further reductions in the injury rate require leadership and collaboration from all workplace parties and safety partners.
“Our Board of Directors is committed to a disciplined, long-term approach to ensure the continued success and financial sustainability of the provincial workers’ compensation system,” said John Peddle, Chair, Board of Directors, WorkplaceNL. “I would like to thank all of our safety partners, including safety sector councils, labour and worker organizations as well as government for their ongoing commitment to improving the safety culture in our province.”
WorkplaceNL’s injury fund remains fully-funded, at 131.6 per cent at the end of 2017. As the injury fund is dependent on market performance, fluctuations are possible.
This fully-funded position allowed the system to afford benefit increases for injured workers with no change to the average assessment rate paid by employers at this time. Such recent benefit improvements include the increase in the income replacement rate to 85 per cent of pre-injury net earnings and broader coverage for mental health issues.
The focus in 2018 will be to identify improvements to help both prevent injuries and improve return-to-work outcomes, including a review of the PRIME and labour market re-entry programs. WorkplaceNL will also explore more technology-based service delivery options for injured workers and employers, including online services.
WorkplaceNL’s 2017 Annual Performance Report is now available on workplacenl.ca or call toll-free 1.800.563.9000 to request a printed copy.
Related Links
WorkplaceNL’s 2017 Annual Performance Report
About WorkplaceNL
Serving approximately 13,000 injured workers and 19,000 employers, WorkplaceNL administers an employer-funded, no-fault insurance system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and offers compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
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Media contact:
Carla Riggs, Director of Communications
709.778.1590 or carla.riggs@workplacenl.ca