Benefits in case of layoff, strike or termination

If your return to work is interrupted because of a layoff, strike, lockout, termination, state of emergency, or because of weather, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) will continue to be responsible for your health-care needs as a result of your work injury.

Earnings loss benefits

WCB policy outlines how benefits are determined if a worker’s return to work is interrupted. The WCB may request a copy of your record of employment to determine what your employer recorded as the reason for the interruption of your employment.

You will receive full benefits if a layoff interrupts you from returning to work and one of the following conditions is met:

• Your work injury restricts your ability to perform work outside of the limited requirements of your return to work.
• Your restrictions make you unable to compete for other employment on the same basis as other workers.

If your return to work is interrupted by a strike, lockout, termination, state of emergency or weather:

• You will continue to receive partial benefits if returning to work has not stopped all earnings loss.
• You will not receive earnings loss benefits if you have returned to pre-injury wages.

If you receive long-term earnings loss benefits and a layoff, strike, lockout, termination, state of emergency or weather interrupts your employment, you will continue to get long-term earnings loss benefits. If you are employed in a new occupation for less than one year, you may also qualify for re-employment assistance.

Reducing earnings loss

The WCB will determine if you need to seek other work to reduce earnings loss if a layoff, strike, lockout or state of emergency is prolonged and there is no upcoming recall date.

Termination of benefits

Your earnings loss benefits will end once you are medically fit for pre-injury duties or other suitable productive employment.