As the Ontario Ministry of Labour continues to successfully eliminate a backlog of employment standards claims, it is increasingly shifting resources to enhancing compliance. Program changes made in January 2011 included:
1. A drop in wait time (from 7.1 months to about 3 days) for early resolution and assignment to a claims officer.
2. Backlog was reduced by more than two-thirds and is slated for elimination by March 2012. (WCxKit)
As a result, the ministry is able to increase the number of Employment Standards Officers on its Dedicated Enforcement Team. This means the Employment Standards program now has more officers doing inspections than ever before.
The ministry continues to help businesses comply with legislation, thus saving them time and money, by heading off employment standards issues before they occur. That includes eliminating the backlog, working with businesses to help them understand employment standards law, thorough education and enforcement, and providing useful tools and resources.
With the scheduled elimination of the backlog, the ministry will partner and consult with employer and employee groups as it shifts resources to inspections. (WCxKit)
"Through our enhanced compliance strategy, we will continue reaching out to employers through a mix of education, outreach, and enforcement to help ensure we stem any problems before they arise and enforce the legislation," said Stephen Grier, acting director of the Employment Standards Program.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
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