Workers’ Compensation Advocacy Training

Last updated on July 21, 2025

The Workers’ Advisers Office offers free training sessions intended to enhance participants’ knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation system, prohibited action issues, and occupational health and safety complaints. These sessions are designed specifically for representatives of injured workers. We also provide in-person and topic-specific sessions on request. If you are interested in hosting a training session, please contact us at Outreach@wao-bc.org.

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Mental Disorder Claims

August 21, 2025, 10 am to 12 pm

In this session, we cover the required criteria to have a mental disorder claim accepted. We discuss traumatic events, significant work-related stressors and claims related to bullying and harassment. We cover employer actions that are excluded from claims. We also discuss occupations that have a presumption under the legislation.

Completion of the Workers' Compensation Overview is recommended before taking this course.

Register for this session.


 

The Duty to Cooperate and the Duty to Maintain Employment

September 11, 2025, 9:30 am to 11 am

Bill 41 introduced changes to British Columbia’s workers’ compensation system.  Join us for a discussion about some of these changes and what they mean for workers.

We will – with reference to case studies/examples – cover:

  • The Duty to Cooperate
  • The Duty to Maintain Employment

This session will help you understand your rights and responsibilities as outlined in Bill 41.

Register for this session.


 

Wage Rates within British Columbia's Workers' Compensation System

September 25, 2025, 9 am to 11 am

Ever wonder how WorkSafeBC sets a wage rate on your claim if you are injured on the job?  Join us for an informative session where we will provide a high-level overview of wage rates for WorkSafeBC compensation claims. 

We will cover topics such as:

  • The purpose of a wage rate
  • The different types of wage rates
  • How wage rates are set
  • How wage rates can be challenged

This session is all about helping you understand wage rates within British Columbia’s workers’ compensation system.

Register for this session.


 

Introduction to the Workers’ Advisers Office

2025 Dates TBA

In this session, we cover our organization’s mandate and discuss the services we can provide to injured workers and/or their representatives. We explain how we provide advice and when we can represent workers during an appeal. We also discuss how and when to contact our office.


 

Prohibited Action Complaints Overview

2025 Dates TBA

In this session, we provide a high-level overview of prohibited action complaints.  We explain what prohibited actions are and how WorkSafeBC addresses them. We provide some common examples of health and safety issues that can lead to a prohibited action. We also discuss the onus of proof on parties and relevant statutory filing deadlines.


 

Prohibited Action Complaints: Mediation, Adjudication, and Appeal Processes

2025 Dates TBA

In this follow up to the Prohibited Action Complaints Overview session, we explore prohibited action complaints in further detail.  We explain the processes that are applicable when WorkSafeBC receives prohibited action complaints from workers, including mediation, adjudication, and appeal processes.

Completion of the Prohibited Action Complaints Overview is required before taking this course.


 

WorkSafeBC Vocational Rehabilitation Services 

2025 Dates TBA

In this session, we provide an understanding of WorkSafeBC’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services. Topics include policy, eligibility, available assistance, plan development, and appeal processes.


 

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: Loss of Earnings Method

2025 Dates TBA

In this session, we cover how WorkSafeBC determines a worker’s entitlement to Permanent Partial Disability benefits under the loss of earnings method. We explain how WorkSafeBC determines a worker’s target occupation for the purpose of calculating the loss of earnings and explain the options for challenging this decision at review or appeal.

Completion of our session on Vocational Rehabilitation is recommended before taking this course.


 

Reviews and Appeals

2025 Dates TBA

In this session, we cover the responsibilities and best practices for workers’ representatives. This includes how to develop a case plan, apply relevant laws and policies, and assess evidence. We explain who can appeal a WorkSafeBC decision and how to start a review or appeal. We discuss the appeal process and the steps for preparing an appeal including collecting evidence, writing submissions, and preparing workers for oral hearings.

Previously this session was known as Level Two. Completion of the Workers' Compensation Overview is required before taking this course.


 

Workers’ Compensation Overview

2025 Dates TBA

In this session, we cover the principles of the Workers’ Compensation system and the role of WorkSafeBC. Topics include who is eligible for compensation, how to file a claim, and the stages of a claim. We discuss how WorkSafeBC calculates benefits for injured workers and provide an overview of return-to-work responsibilities for workers and employers.

Previously this session was known as Level One.