WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors commissioned an external review of compensation policy. The resulting report, Restoring the Balance: A Worker-Centred Approach to Workers’ Compensation Policy, was published in April 2018 and contains a number of recommendations.

Recommendation 24 proposes amending the definition of suitable occupation in permanent partial disability policy. This definition sets out the factors to consider when estimating what a worker is capable of earning after a workplace injury results in a permanent partial disability (PPD). That determination forms part of the calculation of whether the worker has incurred a loss of earnings which, in turn, informs entitlement to PPD benefits.

In order to implement these changes, the Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper, with options on proposed amendments to policy regarding suitable occupation for loss of earnings assessment, to stakeholders for comment.

Consultation closed on April 8, 2022.