Janine Dyck, Chief Employer Services Officer; Rod Cook, Vice President Workplace Health and Safety Services; and Tyler Beauchamp, Manager Workplace Health and Safety Services of the WSIB (Ontario WCB) spent the day at the PCU-WHS campus facility on January 16th meeting with staff learning about the various educational programs available through the University including the proposed new masters degree and reviewing details of workplace program assessments available through NIDMAR as well as the new Reducing Poverty Initiative that NIDMAR has undertaken.
Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay–Alberni for the last 10 years and who has been a major champion of the efforts of PCU-WHS and NIDMAR, stopped by on January 14, 2025 for a first-hand update on latest developments.
To view the short interview video, please click on the following link: Watch Here
Deputy Minister Champion to PCU-WHS Eric Costen presented the Keynote Address to the graduating class of the Bachelor of Disability Management program at the 2024 Convocation Ceremony. This year the graduates of the Disability Management Practitioner Certificate Program were also recognized during the ceremony.
The 2024 Convocation Ceremony was live streamed across 22 countries.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our former Premier, John Horgan, earlier today. He was a great champion of the collective efforts at PCU-WHS and NIDMAR to achieve much-needed improvements for disabled workers.
Mr. Eric Costen, Associate Deputy Minister of Health Canada was appointed Deputy Minister Champion of PCU-WHS in May 2024. Following a recent visit to the PCU-WHS campus in Port Alberni and spending a full day meeting with staff of both PCU-WHS and NIDMAR, learning about the many initiatives that are taking place, he agreed to sit down for an interview. This newsletter provides his responses to our questions.
“Great success” were the words being used by delegates who attended the IFDM 2024 that took place in Vancouver, Canada, September 16 and 17, 2024. With a maximum capacity of 320 delegates from 12 countries around the world, and with over 70 leading edge presentations, delegates were enthusiastic with the topics that were available for them to attend.
IFDM 2024 was opened through an inspiring presentation by Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s first National Accessibility Officer and former long-time BC Cabinet Minister, who was joined on the opening podium by John Mutch, Chair of the Board, Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management (CSPDM), and Co-MCs Sari Sairanen, Executive Assistant to the Secretary Treasurer of UNIFOR and Rod Cook, Vice-President of Workplace Health & Safety Services, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario.
The Hon. Harry Bains, BC Minister of Labour, provided the official welcome to British Columbia and also highlighted some of the recent developments in the province designed to improve employment outcomes and accessibility challenges facing persons with disabilities.
We were very pleased that the closing keynote presentation, which chartered future opportunities and challenges in global Disability Management, was delivered by Prof. Dr. Joachim Breuer, former long time CEO of the German Federal Workers Compensation system, the world’s largest, and, between 2016-2022, he was President of the International Social Security Organization in Geneva.
The successful conference ended with the hand-over for IFDM 2026 to take place in Scotland.
Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island – Pacific Rim and Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, recently met with Wolfgang Zimmermann, President of PCU-WHS and Executive Director of NIDMAR, to get an update on the various developments and initiatives currently being undertaken by both PCU-WHS and NIDMAR.
A full Agenda was on schedule for the PCU-WHS Academic Team when it met recently at its Port Alberni campus facility. Attending were the following:
Back row L to R: Abifatah Abdi, Director of Professional and Continuing Education Studies; Professor Jane Harte, James Cook University, Australia; Dr. Bert Biggs, Acting Director of Academic Operations & Manager of Flexible Admissions; Dr. Susan Patrick, Senior Academic Lead; Dr. Kara Arnold, Chief Academic Officer; Swati Garg, Manager of Admissions and Student Services; Dr. Tyler Amell, Registrar.
Front row L to R: Dr. Lorne Sulsky, Senior Academic Advisor; Wolfgang Zimmermann, President; Heather Persons, Student Support; Olivia Seguin-Coles, Administrative Technology Specialist.
Inset: Dr. Donal McAnaney, fr. Chief Academic Officer & Member of the International Research Advisory Council.
The Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) is very pleased to announce that Mr. Eric Costen, Associate Deputy Minister of Health, has been appointed the Deputy Minister University Champion for PCU-WHS. Mr. Costen began his public service career in 2003 and has held senior roles across the federal government including at Health Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Due to significant interest and demand in IFDM 2024, the Early Bird Registration Rate has been extended to July 15, 2024. Register now.
Made possible by funding to the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR), provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement (WDA).
$6,500 annually for each of two years of full-time study, or $3,250 annually for the first 2 years only of four years of part-time study, applied towards tuition fees. The scholarship grant expires in 2027.
Scholarship funds will cover most (but NOT all) of the annual course tuition per year applied, and can only be applied to tuition for the specialized courses required to complete the 2+2 BDM program
This is a critical gateway to a highly desirable and rewarding professional career opportunity in the rapidly expanding field of Return to Work and Disability Management not only in BC, but across Canada and internationally.
Candidates must:
Have permanent resident (landed immigrant) or Canadian citizenship status and be permanent residents of British Columbia;
Meet the admission criteria of PCU-WHS, and must qualify for Admission Directly into Year 3 of the Bachelor of Disability Management (BDM)program (i.e., the 2+2 program). To qualify for Admission Directly into Year 3, applicants must:
Have graduated with an associate degree, 2-year diploma, or other relevant educational prerequisite which provides 60 transferable academic credits (or equivalent) in a range of disciplines.
OR
Be eligible for Admission Directly into Year 3 (i.e., the 2+2 BDM program) on the basis of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). A combination of professional experience and career education will be assessed under Flexible Admission policy on a case-by-case basis. Applicants under Flexible Admission should have a minimum of 5-10 years of relevant experience in a related field.
Hold a verifiable Red Seal Certification (Trades To Academic (TTA) admission into Year 3): Students holding a verifiable Red Seal Certification may be granted 57-60 transfer credits towards admission into the 2+2 BDM. Students granted transfer credit under Red Seal Certification will be required to enrol in WHDM 306 Applied Research unless they have achieved course equivalency. Pre-entry assessment of English command/Writing skills typically needed for success in BDM coursework will be required. Applicants are asked to apply under Admission Directly into Year 3.
Be in a position to register for full-time (10 courses per year) or part-time (5 courses per year) study in the 2+2 BDM program beginning inSeptember 2024 and to complete the degree within a 2-year period for full-time study or 4-year period for part-time study. The Scholarship will apply to both years of the 2+2 program for full-time study, but only the first 3 years of the 2+2 BDM program for part-time study.
Scholarships are awarded on a first-come-first-qualified basis.
This Scholarship is designed to significantly increase the availability of disability management professionals and practitioners for British Columbia employers across all public and private sector organizations and be a major long-term strategic and sustainable workplace approach to “Building a Culture of Accommodation”. This strategy mirrors the successful outcomes seen in other jurisdictions across Canada and around the world where greater professionalization in the Return to Work and Disability Management field is significantly improving socio-economic outcomes for disabled workers, employers, and society at large.
Individuals having completed the BDM will be encouraged to write the professional certification examinations for the designations of Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Return to Work Coordinators (CRTWC) once they have completed relevant work experience to meet the eligibility requirements.
Preferred domains of previous study include human resources, occupational health and safety, healthcare, business, and social work.
The Scholarship program is made possible by funding to the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR), provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement (WDA).
Candidates may apply for a Scholarship towards either full- or part-time study in the 2+2 Bachelor of Disability Management (BDM) program at Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS).
Each successful candidate will be entitled to $6,500 annually for each of two years of full-time study, or $3,250 annually for the first 2 years only of four years of part-time study, applied towards tuition fees. The scholarship grant expires in 2027.
Scholarship funds will cover most (but NOT all) of the annual course tuition per year, and can only be applied to tuition for the specialized courses required to complete the 2+2 BDM program.
Candidates must:
have completed at least 60 transferable academic credits from a recognized post-secondary institution (or equivalent; more information below).
OR
qualify for Admission Directly into Year 3 (i.e., 2+2 BDM program) by Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) / Flexible Admission.
OR
Hold a verifiable Red Seal Certification.
The Scholarship program duration is 2 years for full-time study, or the first 2 years only of part-time study, in the 2+2 BDM program. Recipients for full-time study are expected to graduate within this 2-year time frame; those for part-time study will be responsible for the full tuition for the final 2 years of the program, and are expected to graduate at the completion of the 4th year.
The percentage to which the annual Scholarship will cover actual tuition costs will be contingent on the number of transfer credits with which prospective students enter the degree program, and any additional courses that may be required.
Eligible individuals may apply for a Scholarship for either full- or part-time study in the 2+2Bachelor in Disability Management (BDM) program.
The WDA Grant Scholarship will provide
$6,500 annually for each of 2 years offull-time study in the 2+2 BDM program, to cover most of the course tuition for the specialized courses required to complete the BDM degree. Applicants will be responsible for covering the balance of the tuition: approximately $1,120 per academic year for a student entering with 60 credits and with suitable research coursework. Textbooks, which are required by several courses, are not covered by the Scholarship.
$3,250 annually forthe first 2 years only of part-time study in the 2+2 BDM program, to cover most of the course tuition for the first 2 years of specialized courses required to complete the BDM degree. Applicants will be responsible for covering the balance of the tuition for the first 2 years: approximately $560 per academic year for a student entering with 60 credits and with suitable research coursework. Textbooks, which are required by several courses, are not covered by the scholarship. Applicants will be responsible for covering the full tuition and all other expenses for completion of the program (the final 2 years of part-time study), as the scholarship grant expires in 2027.
The WDA Grant Scholarship is open to candidates with landed immigrant or Canadian citizenship status who are permanent residents of British Columbia.
Successful candidates must:
Meet the admission criteria of PCU-WHS.
In addition, successful candidates must qualify for Admission Directly into Year 3 of the BDM program (i.e., the 2+2 program). Your Scholarship would then apply to your 2+2 program (2 years for full-time study or the first 2 years only for part-time study). To qualify for Admission Directly into Year 3, applicants must:
Have graduated with an associate degree, 2-year diploma, or other relevant educational prerequisite which provides 60 transferable academic credits (or equivalent) in a range of disciplines (preferred domains listed below).
Current students must be attending a BC post-secondary institution.
Students converting from an existing career path may have graduated from any university or college.
Candidates with an average post-secondary GPA of 3.0 or higher will be preferred.
OR
Be eligible for Admission Directly into Year 3 (i.e., the 2+2 program) on the basis of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). A combination of professional experience and career education will be assessed under Flexible Admission policy on a case-by-case basis. Applicants under Flexible Admission should have a minimum of 5-10 years of relevant experience in a related field.
OR
Hold a verifiable Red Seal Certification (Trades To Academic (TTA) admission into Year 3): Students holding a verifiable Red Seal Certification may be granted 57-60 transfer credits towards admission into the 2+2 BDM. Students granted transfer credit under Red Seal Certification will be required to enrol in WHDM 306 Applied Research unless they have achieved course equivalency. Pre-entry assessment of English command/Writing skills typically needed for success in BDM coursework will be required. Applicants are asked to apply under Admission Directly into Year 3.
The WDA Grant Scholarship will cover most of the tuition required to complete the 2+2 BDM program in 2 years of full-time study, or most of the tuition of the first 2 years only to complete the 2+2 BDM program in 4 years of part-time study. Students are responsible for covering the balance of tuition: approximately $1,120 per academic year for full-time study; or approximately $560 per academic year for the first 2 years of part-time study, and approximately $3,810 for the final 2 years of part-time study (as of December 2021), as the scholarship grant expires in 2027.
The costs of elective or additional courses, if required, are not covered by the Scholarship.
There will be other incidental costs, including costs of textbooks and other materials, which are not covered by the Scholarship.
The cost of a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) review for Flexible Admission ($400) is not covered by the Scholarship.
The cost of a PLAR request for any specialized BDM course is not covered by the Scholarship.
Fees for any course not completed within the Scholarship period will be the responsibility of the student.
The percentage of actual tuition costs that the annual Scholarship will cover will be contingent on the number of transfer credits with which prospective students enter the degree program.
Students who do not have suitable research coursework or experience may be required to take a 300-level research course prior to entering their final year of the program. This course (WHDM 306) is not covered by the Scholarship.
Please note that PCU-WHS is a statutory post-secondary teaching and research institution authorized by the Degree Quality Assessment Board to grant degrees, and has the BC EQA designation, which is renewed annually. However, because academic programs at PCU-WHS are offered exclusively online, they are not eligible for Canadian or Provincial Student Loans.
Financial support may be sought through WDA scholarships (for permanent BC residents – final intake September 2025).
2 years of full-time study in the 2+2 BDM program, commencing with the Fall 2025 trimester and terminating with the Spring 2027 trimester.
OR
the first2 years only of part-time study in the 2+2 BDM program, commencing with the Fall 2025 trimester and terminating with the Spring 2027 trimester. You can anticipate completion of the part-time program 2 years later (Spring 2029 trimester) without Scholarship funding, as the scholarship grant expires in 2027.
Successful candidates are required to attend the PCU-WHS online 2+2 BDM program beginning in September 2025.
You are also required to attend an online orientation to the program in advance of the first academic term.
You must maintain an academic standing of 3.0 (B) or higher each trimester throughout your studies. If you fail to achieve this, you will be given the following trimester to restore your standing.
You must be in a position to register in full- or part-time study in the 2+2 Bachelor of Disability Management (BDM) program beginning in September 2025, and to complete the degree within a 2-year period for full-time study or 4-year period for part-time study.
To qualify for admission to the full-time WDA Grant Scholarshipprogram, you must not be working full-time.
PCU-WHS is located in Port Alberni, British Columbia, but all BDM courses are offered exclusively online. Residents of British Columbia can study from their city or town of residence.
All courses at PCU-WHS are offered online by highly qualified faculty with a depth of multidisciplinary experience.
Students require a computer, an Internet connection (high-speed internet is recommended), and internet browser software to participate in the courses. Students should have a computer with a sound card and speakers to listen to course videos and audio, plus a microphone to participate in synchronous sessions. All courses require a word processing application such as Microsoft Word. Individual courses may have additional software requirements. Technical assistance is available for all courses.
The online platform provides you with:
24-hour access to course resources and materials.
More opportunities to directly communicate with faculty.
Constructive interaction with other students.
Greater flexibility and convenience in managing your time. (Courses are not self-paced, however; timelines for course work are provided.)
An environment to participate at a time and place best suited to your needs.
Additional time to reflect before responding to discussions and other activities.
An environment where the independent learner flourishes.
Students will have 24-hour access to most course resources, activities, and materials. The few synchronous activities (Zoom sessions, student presentations) will be scheduled in the Pacific time zone.
Full-time study in the 2+2 BDM program: For students who are not employed full-time:
Completion of the BDM program in 2 years
Completion of a minimum of ten (10) 3-credit courses per year (based on admission with 60 credits):
Typically: 4 courses in the Fall trimester, 3 courses in the Winter trimester, 3 courses in the Spring trimester.
The courses for the 2+2 BDM program are 12-week courses, with an anticipated time commitment of 8-9 hours per week per course, including approximately 4 hours on the required readings and 4 hours on either a discussion exercise or assignment. Expect to be enrolled in 3-4 courses per trimester.
Part-time study in the 2+2 BDM program: For students who are employed full-time:
Completion of a minimum of five (5) 3-credit courses per year (based on admission with 60 credits):
Typically: 2 courses in the Fall trimester, 1-2 courses in the Winter trimester, 1-2 courses in the Spring trimester.
The courses for the 2+2 BDM program are 12-week courses, with an anticipated time commitment of 8-9 hours per week per course, including approximately 4 hours on the required readings and 4 hours on either a discussion exercise or assignment. Expect to be enrolled in 1-2 courses per trimester.
[1] The WDA Scholarship can only be applied to the first 2 years of part-time study. Applicants will be responsible for covering the full tuition and all other expenses for the final 2 years of their program as the scholarship grant expires in 2027.
Official transcripts issued from previous post-secondary institutions
Letters of Attestation (2) for previous work experience
The WDA Scholarship can only be applied to the first 3 years of the 4-year part-time program. Applicants will be responsible for covering the full tuition and all other expenses of the final 1 year of the part-time program.
Applications packages must be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at PCU-WHS, and can be sent by email, Canada Post, or courier to:
WDA Grant Scholarship
Office of the Registrar
Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences
4755 Cherry Creek Road
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 0A7 education@pcu-whs.ca
Successful applicants will be notified by June 30, 2025.
Successful applicants must notify PCU-WHS that they have accepted the Scholarship by July 12, 2025. If the Scholarship is declined, it will be awarded to an individual on the waiting list, who will be notified of their success by July 19, 2025. Applicants who fail to respond to an offer of scholarship by the specified deadline will be considered to have declined the scholarship.
Significantly increase availability of Disability Management Professionals for BC employers.
Build enhanced recognition of the importance of effective Return to Work programs and the priority of maintaining employment for disabled workers.
Reduce the unacceptable poverty rate of people with disabilities.
Improve socio-economic outcomes for disabled workers, employers, and society at large through greater professionalization of those working in the Return to Work / Disability Management field.
Approximately 80 percent of disabling conditions occur during an individual’s working life.
Disability benefit recipients have less than a one percent chance of exiting the social security benefit system to enter into employment.
This results in dependency and poverty for individuals with disabilities, unsustainable social protection costs, and increasing numbers of disability benefit recipients.
About 25 percent of all Canadians living in poverty today ─ an estimated 1.4 million individuals ─ are people with disabilities.
Effective Disability Management programs can make a crucial contribution to reducing poverty in Canada by promoting workplace health, preventing disabilities, and avoiding loss of employment due to a disabling condition.
Disability Management interventions are designed to:
Reduce the likelihood that workers will acquire an impairment that could place their jobs at risk.
Engage with workers with disabilities, before they have lost their attachment to their employer, to enhance the likelihood they will retain and return to their jobs.
Reduce the number of workers exiting the active labour market and entering into the disability benefits system.
Early intervention is at the core of an effective Disability Management approach.
A key success factor in effective Disability Management programs is a consensus-based process based on collaboration between management and worker representatives, often enshrined in a collective agreement, and overseen by a joint management-labour committee.
Disability Management Professionals work internally within their own organizations or externally as providers to:
Develop positive workplace health and job retention policies.
Promote a positive and proactive workplace health and return to work organizational culture.
Promote and protect the health and productivity of the workforce.
Support workers with health conditions to remain at work.
Assist workers absent on health grounds to safely return to the workplace.
Disability Management Professionals work collaboratively with management, unions or employee organizations, insurance providers, government agencies, health care providers, and others.
Disability Management Professionals work as human resource professionals, workplace health specialists, case managers, return to work coordinators, or in a variety of related areas.
Prospective places of employment for Disability Management Professionals include:
Industrial work sites
Corporate offices
Insurance companies
Service providers
Human resources departments
Workers’ compensation organizations
There is an opportunity for experienced professionals to establish their own businesses offering disability management contract services to local employers.
Graduates of the BDM Program may go on to further studies and are recognized under the eligibility qualifications to write the professional certification examinations for the designations of:
Certified Disability Management Professional – CDMP
Certified Return to Work Coordinator – CRTWC
once they have met all of the following eligibility criteria:
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Disability Management (BDM) degree
Completed a minimum of 1 year performing the roles and responsibilities (during the last 5 years) with at least 50% or more of the time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by a qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM.
The BDM is accepted by the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University as a qualifying program for consideration of acceptance to its:
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Management
Master of Health Administration
In a survey by the Canadian HR Reporter, it was found that 90 percent of business leaders say the value of professional designations is increasing.
For information regarding the WDA Grant Scholarship that is not addressed in the FAQs, please contact:
Student Services
Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences
4755 Cherry Creek Road
Port Alberni, BC
Canada V9Y 0A7
Phone: 778-421-0824, ext. 209
Email: education@pcu-whs.ca
Due to high number of inquiries, there may be delays in receiving a response. We prioritize those who have submitted an application with associated application fees.
Funding provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement.
Students who do not have suitable research coursework or experience may be required to take an additional 300-level research course prior to entering their final year of the program.1
Preferred domains of previous study include human resources, occupational health and safety, healthcare, business, and social work.2
Students who do not have suitable research coursework or experience may be required to take an additional 300-level research course prior to entering their final year of the program.3
The scholarship grant expires in 2027.4
Please note that PCU-WHS is a statutory post-secondary teaching and research institution authorized by the Degree Quality Assessment Board to grant degrees, and has the BC EQA designation, which is renewed annually. However, because academic programs at PCU-WHS are offered exclusively online, they are not eligible for Canadian or Provincial Student Loans.5
Many of the traditional HR functions involve aspects of disability management. HR practitioners may be directly or indirectly involved in return to work planning. This eight-course certificate program is designed for HR practitioners with disability management responsibilities and focuses on knowledge and skills that they use when workers incur disabilities. For further details, please click on the following link to the PCU-WHS website: DM from a HR Perspective
Theme: Disability Management in our Post Pandemic World
About the Conference: The goal of the IFDM conference is to build knowledge for the Disability Management professions in the CDMP and CRTWC Global community.
Date: September 15-17, 2024, Location: Vancouver
Call for Abstracts: We invite researchers, scholars, policy and program practitioners and enthusiasts to submit abstracts for presentation at the IFDM 24 Conference. The conference aims to bring together professionals from diverse fields to share insights, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration.
Submission themes: The four themes around which workshops and plenary sessions will be developed are:
Legislation and Policy
Workplace well-being and disability management
Evolution of the mental health landscape
Innovative and inclusive disability management approaches
Five graduates, who are located in the BC lower mainland area, who were part of the 2023 graduating classes attended in person, while graduates in Ontario and Alberta attended virtually, in the hybrid Convocation Ceremony that took place in Vancouver on November 28, 2023.
The Hon. Wayne G. Wouters, PC, OC, Chancellor of PCU-WHS, addressed the graduates identifying the evolving field of Disability Management and the need and importance of this field of practice. The Keynote speaker for the event was the Hon. Harry Bains, BC’s Minister of Labour, with additional speakers and congratulatory messages from: Josie Osborne, MLA Mid Island-Pacific Rim; Gord Johns, MP, Courtenay-Alberni; Dr. Tyler Amell, Registrar, Dr. Susan Patrick, Senior Academic Lead, and Dr. Kara Arnold, Chief Academic Officer of PCU-WHS; Shanna Ramm, the first graduate of the BDM program in 2020; and the founding co-chairs of NIDMAR, Peter Lawrie and Brian Payne, who identified the goals of return to work in the “early days” and challenged the new graduates to keep moving the field of practice forward. President of PCU-WHS, Wolfgang Zimmermann, was the MC for the event. Sarah Cosco, the Valedictorian, provided an emotional and inspiring perspective to having completed the program and the work they are all now involved in.
As April 28 approaches, workplaces across the nation prepare to observe the National Day of Mourning, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring the memory of workers who have tragically lost their lives, sustained injuries, or fallen ill due to workplace hazards.
Year after year, Canada witnesses far too many workplace accidents, each one a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects of our work environments. According to the latest data from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), in 2022 alone, there were 993 reported workplace fatalities, with 33 of those being young workers aged 15-24. Additionally, there were 348,747 accepted claims for lost time due to work-related injuries or diseases. These numbers underscore the urgent need for collective action to prevent further tragedies.
CCOHS urges all workplaces to take this opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every worker. By fostering a culture of safety and vigilance, we can strive towards the goal of zero workplace incidents.
More information about the National Day of Mourning including resources to help spread awareness in the workplace is available on the CCOHS website: https://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning
The Government of British Columbia has recently enacted amendments to the workers’ compensation legislation aimed at providing greater clarity and reinforcement of the obligations placed upon organizations in facilitating return to work for employees who have sustained mental or physical injuries or illnesses resulting from workplace activities. The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), which was ratified in November 2022, is slated to come into effect on January 1, 2024. This legislation introduces two new obligations for both workers and employers: the duty to collaborate and the duty to sustain the employment of an injured worker.
Following the recent BC Government’s New Release from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction entitled “People with injuries, disabilities supported getting back to work”, NIDMAR has issued a News Release providing additional details with regard to this latest initiative “Reducing Poverty through Early Intervention and Occupational Rehabilitation Initiative.”
Completion of education through PCU-WHS is a gateway to becoming eligible to obtain the CDMP professional designation – the internationally accepted Gold Standard for those working in the field of Disability Management and Return to Work. This short 10-minute video offers a snapshot of the value proposition associated with obtaining the coveted CDMP designation. Link to video.
