Return To Work

Pembina Trails School Division is committed to preventing workplace injuries and illnesses through maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. In the event an employee suffers an injury or illness, on or off the job, the school division will take all reasonable steps to provide a safe and timely return to work (RTW), by providing alternative or modified work through the return to work program.

Pembina Trails will work in collaboration with employees (and union representatives, where applicable) to identify suitable work and develop individualized RTW or modified work plans based upon functional abilities information provided from health care providers and the Workers Compensation Board (WCB). The RTW process commences immediately, without delay, after an injury or illness occurs.

The school division will make every reasonable effort to provide suitable modified or alternate work to employees who are temporarily or permanently unable to return to or continue to perform their regular duties as a result of injury or illness.

The goal of the return to work program is to:

• Support employees who experience health-related concerns, regardless of origin, thus minimizing the impacts of injuries or illness on employees and the workplace.
• Provide suitable accommodations for employees who have sustained an injury or who are experiencing an illness that impacts their ability to perform all aspects of their pre-injury or pre-illness jobs.
• Design safe, appropriate, timely, meaningful, productive and individualized accommodation and return to work plans based on functional capabilities/occupational health assessment.
• Ensure employees are empowered and supported to participate in coordinating a safe, timely and suitable return to work.
• Ensure work assigned and performed brings value to the organization and employee.
• Minimize both the human and financial impacts of an injury or illness.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of employees with consideration to relevant provisions in The Workplace Safety and Health Act, The Workers Compensation Act, The Human Rights Code, the Collective Agreement and any other applicable legislation.

This program applies to all employees of Pembina Trails School Division who are unable to perform their regular work as outlined in their job description as a result of injury or illness due to:

• an occupational injury or illness; 
• injury or illness unrelated to occupational activity; 
• an active claim with WCB or Blue Cross, etc.;
• persons with disabilities, regardless of the cause or nature of the disability.

All employees must fully cooperate in the safe and timely return to work of injured and ill workers.

• Return to Work - Administrative Practice
• Disability Management