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Document name

Return to Work – Temporary Helper

Document number

PRO 08/2010

Effective date: April 1, 2010

Application: Claims requiring a temporary helper.

Policy subject: Return to work and vocational rehabilitation

Purpose:

To establish provision of temporary helpers in a return-to-work plan for self-employed or those employed under a contract for service.

BACKGROUND

The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has approved the provision of a temporary helper during a return to work plan in accordance with POL 08/2010, Return to Work – Temporary Helper.

PROCEDURE

An injured worker with temporary restrictions due to a workplace injury may benefit from the assistance of a temporary helper during the recovery process that will help return the worker to pre-injury duties. Typically, the injured worker requiring the temporary helper will be self-employed or employed under a contract for service. Appendix A provides examples of situations where a temporary helper may be warranted.
To mitigate loss of earnings, the injured worker may return to work with the assistance of a temporary helper. The helper may complete duties the injured worker is unable to carry out in order to fulfil any contract obligations. As a result, the income generated by the business (self-employed) or employment contract should not be affected.
For reimbursement, the employer who hires the temporary helper must provide an original receipt detailing the temporary helper’s wages to Operations staff. In some situations, Operations staff will reimburse the injured worker or will pay the temporary helper directly for their services.
Operations staff will compare the helper’s wage with the amount of compensation the injured worker would have been entitled to if he/she had not returned to work. Typically, the helper’s wages will be considerably less than that of the injured worker’s. The amount reimbursed for the helper’s gross wages will not exceed the amount WCB would pay the injured worker for full wage loss compensation.