WCB /WSIB a Tragic Mess

Like all things that start out as good ideas coming out of government that eventually turn into boondoggles, the Workers Compensation system is a gigantic fiasco. While on the face of it one might ask, “how can helping workers injured on the job be a bad thing? For those legitimately hurt while at work it is a good thing for sure and I am solidly behind the program if these were the only people that benefited from it. However this is not the case as it is with just about all of the so-called government entitlement programs. Even though there have been some improvements over the years it is still a system full of loop holes that allow workers to unjustly claim benefits for non existent ailments. The CAW in Canada and the UAW in the USA have been the worst offenders over the years but definitely not the only Unions that have turned a blind eye to this type of thievery and it is theft. It was designed as insurance for workers who incurred an injury on the job that left them unable to pursue their regular job directly after the accident. Yet once in place an amazing thing happened, all of a sudden occurrences of back injuries in factories and other work places tripled and beyond, because this type of ailment is so hard to verify. Employees looking for a couple of extra weeks off would stop and hold their back at work and complain of pain. Next is the trip to the Doctor who is ready and willing to sign a note saying the patient needs two weeks of rest, wait lets make it three that’ll make sure the ailment has healed. Bingo, two or three weeks of extra vacation at the cottage where no one can see the ailing worker lift his boat into the water and hoist the 50 Evinrude onto the transom. In some cases Companies have hired private investigators to watch these habitual cheaters perform tasks much more difficult than their regular job duties. The video tapes are then used to argue the merits of their claim with the Board or Commission and most times this route is successful in denying any compensation. Rarely though are these people fired or charged with fraud, which of course, is what they have committed. Unfortunately following this process can be very costly and sometimes is more costly than the claim itself so Company’s use the tactic sparingly. The real downside to this fraud is in the spiraling costs to the Employer who must factor them in with all of the other rising expenses that eventually become their downfall ala GM, Chrysler etc. This is another example of government screwing up the free market and driving jobs out of the Country. I still believe that Unions have an important purpose but they must address the crooks and the slackers in their midst before they will be a true partner with business. Until then bye bye jobs hello welfare cheques.