Author Archive - Clear Path Employer Services

Clear Path Employer Services is a team of certified HR consultants and medical professionals dedicated to resolving the human resources and claims management challenges facing businesses across Ontario. The company was founded in 2003 by Anna Aceto-Guerin, a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) specializing in WSIB claims management and NEER cost containment, with a focus on return-to-work programs and acquiring SIEF cost relief for employers. Read more

The basics of the WSIB’s NEER system

September 29, 2017 Clear Path Employer Services Health and Safety, Human Resources, Payroll, Source Deductions and Reporting

Understanding the basics about the WSIB’s NEER financial system is a challenge for many employers. With limited time available to prepare for the upcoming implementation of the new Rate Framework, which will replace NEER, there are a few basic concepts you should understand regarding the current program.

CAD-7, claim performance, employment law, Merit Adjusted Premium, NEER, wsib

Summarizing WSIB’s proposed Rate Framework, part 3

August 25, 2017 Clear Path Employer Services Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Penalties and Fines, Pensions and Benefits, Source Deductions and Reporting, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

This blog is the final chapter of a three-part series which examines the fundamental proposed changes to WSIB’s method of business classification and application of premium rates.

employment law, HR News, Human Resources, NEER, Rate Framework, risk band, risk profile, wsib, WSIB business classification, WSIB premium rates, WSIB proposed Rate Framework, WSIB Rate Framework

Summarizing WSIB’s proposed Rate Framework, part 2

July 28, 2017 Clear Path Employer Services Health and Safety, Human Resources, Payroll, Source Deductions and Reporting

This blog is part two of a three-part series which examines the proposed fundamental changes to WSIB’s method of business classification and application of premium rates. Part one of this series explored how WSIB proposes to re-categorize Ontario businesses into 34 industries, based solely on “business activity”.

employment law, HR issues, Human Resources, NEER, wsib, WSIB business classification, WSIB premium rates, WSIB proposed Rate Framework, WSIB Rate Framework

Summarizing WSIB’s proposed Rate Framework

June 30, 2017 Clear Path Employer Services Health and Safety, Human Resources, Payroll, Source Deductions and Reporting

One of the key goals of the proposed Preliminary Rate Framework is to implement a “streamlined and simpler classification structure”. The word “simpler” is key!

employment law, NEER, wsib, WSIB business classification, WSIB premium rates, WSIB proposed Rate Framework, WSIB Rate Framework

WSIB premiums decrease for first time in 15 years

September 23, 2016 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board made headlines this month by announcing that employer premiums would decrease an average of 5% in 2017, the first such decrease in over 15 years. This will result in approximately $250 million less being collected from employers, making the average premium rate $2.46 per $100 of insurable payroll, down from $2.59 in 2016.

employment law, Payroll, premium rate reduction, Premium Rates, wsib, WSIB 2017 premium rates, WSIB premiums, WSIB premiums decrease

Understanding WSIB’s NEER system more important than ever

August 22, 2016 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Wages and Compensation

Ontario’s workers’ compensation system is on the verge of a major overhaul and employers need to be aware of how this change will impact them. As part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to eliminate its significant unfunded liability and to modernize operations, the WSIB has proposed Rate Framework changes that are expected to come into effect in 2019.

CAD-7, employment law, experience ratings programs, lost-time claims, MAP, Merit Adjusted Premium plan, NEER system, New Experimental Experience Rating, Rate Framework changes, risk bands, SIEF cost relief, workers' compensation system, workplace accidents, wsib, WSIB claims

Proper HR practices can save needless WSIB claim costs

June 14, 2016 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Analytics, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Penalties and Fines, Pensions and Benefits, Source Deductions and Reporting, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

There are a lot of moving parts when managing a WSIB claim, especially one that has become prolonged or complex. Most employers are aware that ensuring their company is compliant with Health & Safety best practices will likely result in reduced workers’ compensation costs. The same can be said with respect to important Human Resources practices and procedures. The problem is that busy claims managers sometimes lose sight of this while they attempt to juggle all the moving pieces of a claim.

EI benefits, employment law, loss of earning (LOE) benefits, modified work suitable for the worker’s restrictions, pre-existing condition, re-employment obligation, record of employment, ROE, suitable modified work, workers compensation, Workplace accident, WSIB case manager, WSIB claim costs

Doctor’s note not necessarily final word with WSIB

May 24, 2016 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

Employers should deploy a number of strategies to minimize their workers’ compensation related costs. One such strategy is to ensure you have instituted effective Early and Safe Return to Work (RTW) practices and procedures, including making an offer of suitable modified work for those employees who require modified duties a standard procedure.

doctor's note, early and safe return to work, employment law, Functional Abilities Form, suitable modified work, workers compensation, wsib

Employers deserve sufficient notice too

April 15, 2016 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Notice, Damages and Settlements, Payroll, Wages and Compensation

Did you know that employers have a reciprocal right to reasonable notice from an employee who decides to leave the company, especially when it will be difficult to replace them? Did you know that an employer can sue a former employee if sufficient notice was not provided? But, did you also know there may be good reasons not to pursue this course of action?

employer can sue the employee for damages, employment law, financial payout to the employee, length of notice, nature of the work, notice of resignation, reasonable notice, reciprocal right to reasonable notice from an employee, standard two weeks notice

Objecting to initial entitlement of a WSIB claim

February 19, 2016 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Penalties and Fines, Pensions and Benefits, Wages and Compensation

When you object to the initial entitlement of a WSIB claim, in effect having it denied outright, there are several considerations you should keep in mind. Here are some answers to some questions about the process:

claims management process, Compensable injury, duties of a job, duty to accommodate, external medical resources, injury, injury or illness, job description, medical professional, repetitive strain, Return to work, workers compensation, workplace investigation, wsib, WSIB benefits

HR lessons from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

January 18, 2016 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring, Training and Development

The new film Star Wars: The Force Awakens is shattering box office records around the world. In addition to being an exciting thrill ride, we noticed a number of intriguing HR lessons in the film that can be applied at every workplace.

blind adherence, Due diligence, Effective hiring techniques, Effective managers, employment law, HR lessons, innovative solutions, leadership, Management style matters, performance management, Power of diversity in the workforce, risk of exposure, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Concurrent employment can bring WSIB claim headaches

December 14, 2015 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Notice, Damages and Settlements, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Wages and Compensation

Do any of your employees also work for another company? If so, things could get complicated if your worker is ever involved in a workplace accident.

Accident Employer, Canadian Human Rights Act, concurrent employer, duty to accommodate, employment law, human rights code, loss of earnings (LOE) benefits, reducing your WSIB costs, undue hardship, Work Reintegration and Re-Employment, work-related accident, Workplace accident, Workplace Safety & Insurance Act, wsib, WSIB benefits

Capture WSIB claim details directly from worker and witnesses

November 16, 2015 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Penalties and Fines, Pensions and Benefits, Source Deductions and Reporting, Wages and Compensation

There is one particular strategy which is often overlooked and undervalued by businesses when looking to reduce their WSIB claims costs. We’re referring to the critical importance of completing an organization’s own Incident Report/ Worker’s Statement, Supervisor’s Report of Injury and Witness Statements.

claims management, denial of a claim, employment law, Incident Report, workers compensation, workplace injury investigations, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, WSIB claim

Victory for transfer of cost employers with WSIB

October 13, 2015 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Privacy and Security, Source Deductions and Reporting, Wages and Compensation

Clear Path recently challenged what could be considered a precedent-setting decision from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) that would have put certain employers at a serious disadvantage.

Disability Claims, disability claims management, Disclosure of Claim Information to Employers, disclosure policy, employment law, HR Law, privacy policy, SIEF Case Manager, Transfer-of-Cost, workers compensation, workplace injury, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, wsib

Is Queen Elizabeth the ultimate long-term employee?

September 14, 2015 Clear Path Employer Services Employee Relations, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring, Training and Development, Union Relations

Imagine you had an employee that performed her job duties impeccably, remained utterly loyal to your organization, never brought personal “drama” to the workplace, and was willing to stay in the same position without complaint for over 60 years. Sounds like a dream employee, doesn’t it?

higher level of competence, highest perfomers, Job performance, level of dedication, long-term employee, performance review, performing job duties impeccably, talent management