Supporting injured or ill people along their recovery journey
It's why we provide a variety of resources and programs to help people navigate the claims process and get the support they need better, easier and faster. The greatest social impact made by the WSIB is safely returning people to work, spending $2 billion annually on health care and income replacement.
Health care and treatment
We’re here to help people recover after a workplace injury or illness by providing access to the health care support they need when it matters most.
Our support includes:
- Translation services to help people easily communicate with us and get help in their preferred language
- Musculoskeletal program of care offered in 58 languages and dialects, increasing accessibility
- Medical coverage for services ranging from prescription drugs to emergency care
- Equipment and supplies such as assistance devices, braces and adjustable beds
- Specialized community-based programs with health providers registered across the province providing care closer to home
- Modifications to home or vehicle for independent living
- Specialized support for serious impairments and mental stress injuries
Support for families
Workplace injuries and illnesses also impact loved ones. We're there to help families get the support they need.
Our support includes:
- Crisis intervention counselors who provide emotional and practical support for family members
- Survivor benefits for surviving spouses and dependants such as bereavement counseling, funeral and transportation costs, and support to rejoin the workforce after bereavement leave
- Financial support through monthly benefit payments
- Resources and information about next steps
- Referrals to community resources
Return-to-work services
We’re committed to helping people get back to work safely and at the right time for them.
Our support includes:
- Benefits for time lost from work or loss of retirement income
- Specialists who help injured people and employers find the right solutions to support return to work
- Individualized return-to-work plans
- Re-training programs for skills development
- Employment placement services
Every day, we're helping injured people get back to work and back to their lives.
No barriers, just opportunities
When Elijah's momentarily unprotected hands came into contact with a live wire, the impact was instantaneous and would change his life forever.
Finding a new path forward
When an injury made it impossible for Adam to return to work as a welder, the WSIB gave him the support to embark on a new career.
Promoting health and safety in Ontario
"We are making it easier to invest in health and safety and that ultimately means fewer injuries and lower premium rates. This is one more way we bring ‘here to help’ to life. This program and other employer services like our online services are focused on helping businesses be better, and they truly add value for our customers."
Rod Cook, Vice President
Workplace Health and Safety Services
Health and Safety Excellence program
This program connects businesses with WSIB-approved providers to help improve their workplace health and safety practices. As an incentive, businesses also earn rebates on their WSIB premiums.
More than
1 million people in Ontario
are safer on the job because they work for businesses enrolled in the program.
91% member retention rate in the program
4,056 businesses enrolled in program at the end of 2023
4,724 health and safety focus areas completed
Supporting Ontario's Prevention Works Strategy
Prevention Works is Ontario’s ambitious five-year health and safety strategy, providing employers with help in training and prevention targeting the highest risk areas.
The WSIB commits a portion of the revenue generated by employer premiums to support Ontario's efforts in health and safety prevention through investment in:
- Administration of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Health and safety associations
- Office of the Worker Adviser
- Office of the Employer Adviser
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT)
Additional health and safety support
Health and safety resource page
In 2023, we launched new health and safety resource page to help businesses understand health and safety, learn about services available to them and navigate their health and safety rights and responsibilities.
First aid training
All businesses covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are required to have first aid equipment, facilities and trained personnel in all workplaces. Businesses can access our list of approved providers for emergency and standard first aid training agencies recognized by the WSIB.
Health and safety association membership
Businesses registered with the WSIB automatically receive a free membership to the health and safety association that represents their industry. In 2023, we introduced a new association finder to help businesses identify their correct association partner.
Safety Check resource
Stakeholders can find out how safe a business is and compare health and safety results of similar businesses using Safety Check.
Innovating for a safer Ontario
WSIB Research and Grants Program
We believe research and innovation plays a big role in supporting a safer Ontario.
Our Research and Grants program helps fund innovative academic projects aimed at improving occupational health and safety outcomes.
We fund practical solutions for better outcomes in worker health and safety.
Since its inception, the program has:
Received
249 applications
Funded
52 research projects
Awarded over
$13 million for research
Funded
32 investigators
from
24 institutions
Research Day 2023
Last year, the WSIB partnered with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to host our second Research Day Event to highlight and showcase six funded research projects.
The event was an opportunity for researchers to share their work. We had an incredible turnout of over 300 participants and look forward to hosting our next event.
Spotlight on innovation
Testing the limits
Dr. Glen Kenny
Professor of Physiology
University of Ottawa
Research snapshot
Dr. Kenny’s research tackles the need for better health and safety guidelines for working in hot environments. Current guidelines in Ontario only provide general heat stress limits and don’t specify safe work-rest times. Dr. Kenny’s team is focusing on practical advice that considers differences in sex and age and includes adjustments for long shifts and consecutive workdays.
Training rural health care providers
Dr. Andrea Furlan
Staff Physician and Senior Scientist
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Research snapshot
In 2020, Dr. Furlan launched Project ECHO, a remote training program for rural health care providers in Ontario. The pilot successfully trained primary care providers in supporting return-to-work and recovery. The ECHO pilot program received high marks from participants, improving their confidence and knowledge. It also improved their understanding of the WSIB’s system and role, leading to better outcomes for injured and ill people.
Giving back to communities
The WSIB is committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Through community engagement initiatives and partnerships, we strive to contribute to the well-being of Ontarians.
Stepping up for families
Threads of Life is a Canadian charity that works with and supports families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. For more than a decade, our employees have been proud supporters of their annual fundraising walks, Steps for Life.
In 2023, we walked with families who have experienced loss, raising an unprecedented $42,294 to support them.
Beyond participating in the walks, the WSIB also provides funding to support delivery of Threads of Life programs and services in Ontario.
"WSIB already knew the need existed. The support of all WSIB staff has been steadfast these past 22 years behind a vision and mission that aligns with the daily work they do. Over time they have become generous financial contributors, providing funding that supports delivery of our programs and services in Ontario. For the many ways the WSIB supports Threads of Life, we are forever thankful."
Shirley Hickman, Executive Director, Threads of Life
Being there for our neighbours in need
The WSIB maintains a long-standing partnership with the United Way, joining forces annually for a fundraising campaign aimed at fighting poverty and homelessness, while supporting community organizations throughout Ontario.
In the past year, our dedicated staff exceeded expectations, rallying together to raise more than $440,000 for the United Way. These funds were distributed to local United Way chapters and partner organizations, to support various community programs and services.
"The WSIB's support ensures we can provide programs and services when and where they’re most needed, strengthening neighbourhoods and building a region where everyone can thrive. From helping fund mental health initiatives, connecting people to culturally-relevant and healthy food, advocating for affordable housing – their generosity and support makes this possible."
Daniele Zanotti, President and CEO, United Way Greater Toronto
A workplace where people thrive
We are committed to empowering an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic workforce who reflect Ontario and deliver great service and outcomes to the people we serve. We want to build talent and help our employees thrive at work.
WSIB voted one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers
The WSIB is proud to be recognized as one of the best places to work in the 2024 Greater Toronto’s Top Employers competition. Organizations are evaluated based on a number of criteria. The WSIB stood out for its tuition assistance, employee engagement options, defined benefit pension plan, and Health and Safety Excellence program.
"At the WSIB, our values drive our culture. Not only do our people have opportunities to achieve their professional goals and enjoy highly competitive benefits, what truly sets us apart is meaningful work that makes a difference in people’s lives."
Anna Filice, Chief People Officer
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the WSIB
Increasing equity, diversity and inclusion is a business priority at the WSIB. In 2023, we completed a full review of our approach to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion and relaunched a refreshed strategy in 2024. This strategy encompasses several key priorities and initiatives that support our employees to participate and contribute to their full potential.
Our EDI priorities
1
We reflect who we serve
2
We're inclusive by design in every way we work
3
We all contribute to our inclusive environment
4
Everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential
Our initiatives
Data-driven approach
We have adopted a data driven approach to accelerate our progress:
- Collecting Diversity Dimension data
- Partnering with the Prosperity Project for the collection and analysis of diversity data to inform action
- Setting KPIs to measure our progress
- Setting representation targets for summer student recruitment and exceeding them in 2024
Continuous learning
We increased opportunities for employees to learn by:
- Hosting 15 guest speakers for our Inclusion Matters series since its inception in 2021
- Providing EDI training for new and emerging leaders through Managers Program
- Building cultural competency with our leadership using the Intercultural Development Inventory
- Establishing an EDI mentorship program, now in its second cycle, with 120 mentees and mentors
Employee engagement and community building
Employee resource groups continue to be instrumental in amplifying employee perspectives and raising awareness of EDI. The EDI Council has launched several groups including:
- Our Women's Professional Network, which a forum for networking and learning
- A Pride group, who coordinate our participation in Pride Parades in major cities where we operate
Education, development and support programs
- Leadership program for new and experienced Managers and Directors
- Tuition Assistance
- LinkedIn Learning
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
- WSIB Peer Support Program
- Unlimited mental health benefits
Empowering the next generation of students
In 2023, the WSIB partnered with the University of Waterloo to welcome ten Ukrainian students who had their studies disrupted and were displaced by war. The program allowed the students to continue their studies and gain meaningful work experience at WSIB’s Innovation Lab, helping them build their resume for future career goals and opportunities.
"I arrived in Canada from the Ukraine in 2022. I was able to complete my undergraduate degree in electronics remotely from the National Technical University of Ukraine. The summer job program gave me valuable assistance in many ways. It gave me a sense of community. So many young adults with a similar struggle being gathered together is quite a wonderful thing. In other circumstances we would have gone adrift. We’re thrown across the world, but in this program we got to reconnect."
Anhelina Moroz, Design Strategist, WSIB