Thanks to Valiant Machine & Tool for hosting this month's event.  The topics this month focused around changes to WSIB legislation and Workforce Planning.

Session 1 was led my EMC member Lisa Granger.  Lisa walked the members through some of the changes that have taken place in the WSIA that will result in changes to SIEF, NEER, WSIB enforcement and overall the employer.  The changes that have been proposed include impacts to:

• Changes to SIEF award amounts and percentages granted which will result in increased claim costs resulting in increasing NEER costs.
• Increased accountability for accommodating pre-existing conditions likely increasing employer costs. 
• Labour Market Re-entry program replaced by Work Transition Program resulting in changes in how WSIB will be assessing work transitioning and retraining.

There was spirited discussion amoung the group with respect to the impact this will have on employers including:

• Increased potential to being subject to Work Well Audits
• Increased opportunities for fines and penalties as well as increased limits
• Increased WSIB intervention at all stages of injury recovery

With these changes, there are some good ideas resulting from these changes and it appears that the employer will be involved more at the beginning stages of a claim and may have more influence and information with respect to the integration plan for the worker and all associated timing and costs.

In Session 2, we focused more on the demographics of the area and the impact on our businesses today and the future.  It was not a surprize to anyone in the room, that strategic workforce planning is more of a short term activity than a long term activity given the impact of the still prevalent global economic crisis.  With that said, Organizations are still forward focused as they think about the future of their businesses and how to succession plan. 

In this session, we were also joined by Donna Marrantette, of  Workforce Windsor Essex who enlightened us to not only the current statistics of the workforce in the area but walked us through some of the programs and services that are available to employers in the region.

The overall morning was one of enlightenment and great participation by those in attendance.  Future SIG topics will include greater expansion on the WSIB, including a rountable discussion with someone from WSIB and an opportunity to bring in the Workforce Windsor Essex team for a update on their continued activity.

Thanks to all who attended and engaged.....see you next month!