Regina, Sask., May 25, 2021 – Today marks the first day of the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board’s (WCB) two-day Compensation Institute, which offers participants the chance to learn about the province’s compensation system and the latest safety, prevention and health initiatives for workplaces.
Now in its 23rd year, the two-day event is being presented online for workers, employers, WCB partners, key stakeholders and members of the media throughout the province. The virtual event is presented free of charge and will facilitate social distancing and other safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re very pleased to be able to present Compensation Institute this year after a one-year hiatus as a result of the pandemic in 2020,” said Phil Germain, CEO of the WCB. “We’re excited about the agenda we’ve put together for this year’s virtual conference. We always build these conferences based on the feedback that we receive from customers in terms of the topics that they’re looking for us to focus on.”
On day one today, participants will hear from a range of world-class local and international keynote presenters, covering topics that include:
- Developing and maintaining a psychologically healthy workplace.
- Safety leadership in extreme working conditions.
- Overcoming mental health issues to survive and thrive.
Compensation Institute attendees will also learn about the WCB, including the WCB’s Psychological Injury Unit, the Employer Resource Centre, the Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy and other WorkSafe Saskatchewan initiatives such as the recently launched asbestos campaign.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Dr. Joti Samra, one of Canada’s foremost psychological health and wellness experts, will focus on enhancing individual and organizational change. She will provide actionable steps to cultivate psychologically healthy and safe work environments. Her topic is critical in light of the increased psychological risks throughout the country as a result of the pandemic.
The first day’s list of speakers will wrap up with injured worker Jason Anker. Jason has been an outspoken safety advocate since he was seriously injured in a workplace incident. He speaks candidly about the effect his preventable injury had on his life, his family’s, friends’ and work colleagues’ lives as well. He will explore and discuss why he made that decision on the day of his incident and how his own health and well-being in the months that led up to his incident also played a part in that safety decision.
The day concludes with the presentation of WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s annual Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards. These awards are a means to recognize individuals and businesses that go well beyond the minimum safety expectations in their industry to develop a culture of safety in their workplace.
View a complete agenda here. All presentations are open to the media. Please contact Lisa Goudy at the phone number or email below if you plan to (virtually) attend any or all of Compensation Institute.