Original version : Labour Market Re-Entry
Labour Market Re-Entry
If you are unable to re-employ an injured worker, the WSIB will determine whether the worker needs further help to return to the labour market. If so, a Labour Market Re-entry (LMR) Plan will be designed to provide the worker with the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to successfully gain employment.
Although the WSIB pays for labour market re-entry assessments and plans, the cost is reflected on your cost statement, so early and safe return to work is the best choice whenever possible.
LMR Process
The LMR Process begins when one of three situations occur:
- It is unlikely the worker will return to work with their employer because of the type of injury, or
- The employer is not able to provide suitable work (work that the worker can safely do and restores their earnings before the injury), or
- The employer is unwilling to cooperate in arranging work
Steps in the Process
There are several steps in the LMR process:
1. The WSIB may hire outside professionals, called LMR service providers, to help with your injured worker’s LMR assessment. In the assessment, we consider the injured worker’s:
- work experience
- skills
- academic abilities
- physical abilities.
2. Together, the worker and LMR service provider develop a plan proposal based on the assessment results.
3. The service provider then submits the LMR options outlined in the plan proposal to the injured worker’s adjudicator.
4. The adjudicator determines which option is the most appropriate and cost effective plan that will prepare the worker to return to work.
5. If the plan is approved, the adjudicator notifies the worker, the employer and the LMR service provider of the decision.
While the worker participates in the plan, the adjudicator monitors their progress and continues to pay wage replacement benefits.
The LMR service provider will also monitor the worker’s progress throughout the duration of the plan, and work with them on any issues or challenges that might arise.
Once the plan ends, the adjudicator reviews the worker’s entitlement to any further wage replacement benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to commonly asked questions about LMR.
For additional information on the LMR process, download the brochure Labour Market Re-entry: The Next Steps to Return to Work (1.3mb, pdf).
Learn about Return to Work.
Resources
For more help with Return to Work, review the resources for employers and workers offered through Canada's Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) Web site.
The Canadian Abilities Foundation (CAF) provides links to a multitude of disability resources to help employers accommodate injured workers and help injured workers and their families cope with disability. Find help from CAF's Web site, Enablelink.
Work Function Unit of McMaster University
Examines the dimensions of work and function over the lifespan of individuals' lives as they relate to life events and health.
The Canadian Helen Keller Centre is a resource for persons who are deaf-blind, their families, service providers, volunteers, supporters, and the general public about the needs, concerns and challenges of persons living with both vision and hearing loss.
The 2009 Value for Money Audit on the Labour Market Re-entry (LMR) program is now available.
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
200 Front Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 3J1
Phone: (416) 344-1000
Toll free: 1-800-387-5540
Ontario Toll free: 1-800-387-0750
TTY: 1-800-387-0050
Web site: www.wsib.on.ca
