Return to Work

We provided focused training to enable our service delivery teams to better support successful, safe and timely return to work.

We piloted a return-to-work specialist role, to ensure return-to-work plans are developed and implemented effectively, and as early as possible following a workplace injury.

We added a new return-to-work element to the audit criteria for the WCB’s Safety Certified safety certification program.

In partnership with government and AWARE-NS, we developed and delivered return-to-work training to more than 350 safety leaders from almost 250 long-term care workplaces.

We introduced faster decision making for straightforward physical injury claims where there is no employer objection, enabling an earlier start on return to work.

We developed a new return-to-work social marketing campaign, alongside our Atlantic partners, to tell Nova Scotians that Getting Back is Part of Getting Better, highlighting that work can be a healthy part of recovery from workplace injury.

We developed a return-to-work roadmap to guide the evolution of our return-to-work processes, enabling significant improvement over the next seven years.

We worked with partners to update the Primary Care Physician’s Report — formerly known as the Form 8/10 — to ensure the new format and functionality reduces administrative burden and better supports safe and timely return to work.

We will deliver on our commitment to protect more working Nova Scotians, guided by our 2024—2030 Strategic Plan and new KPIs.

We will improve how we serve workers and employers during the first 30 days after a workplace injury, connecting workers to the supports they need and to the workplace, as they recover.

We will start the return-to-work conversation much earlier, and improve our support for transitional work.

We will provide better training for health service providers, and our own people.

We will continue to work with our partners to improve outcomes in long-term care, home care and disability support.

We will build upon new approaches to Return-to-Work following the implementation of gradual onset psychological injury legislation, and work to adapt them more broadly.

We will lead efforts to shift workplace culture, to embrace that work is healthy and can be a healthy part of recovery from injury, through continued outreach and engagement.