Hiding injuries & WSIB

So for the last couple of days I have been mulling over the article in the Toronto Star titled "Hiding Injuries Rewards Workers."  The article basically outlines how many companies are hiding employee injuries so that they will save money and be eligible for the WSIB rebate. The article goes on to show how companies force their employees back to work before their injuries are healed, and then they are forced to do menial jobs beneath their capabilities. As I read this article, I guess I felt pretty double-minded about it...

On one hand, I can see the problem with companies asking their employees to work while not well. This is obviously not an acceptable practice and should not be tolerated. Any company that does not respect their employees enough to take their injuries seriously should not only be penalized, but really should not be allowed to operate in our country.

On the other hand, I can understand WSIB chairman Steve Mahoney's frustration with the investigation. As a leader in an organization I know too well that well intentioned programs are never quite perfect when they are launched. It usually takes a couple of years for all of the bugs to be ironed out. The fact that WSIB is creating positions to deal with some of the short fallings of companies is a sign in the right direction.   

Fewer than 500 inspectors for almost quarter-million companies

The truth is - 450 inspectors is not enough man power to monitor the 230 000 companies covered by WSIB (this does not take into account the 1000's of other businesses not covered by the Insurance Board). It really doesn't matter what precautions are put in place (although creating less loopholes is definitely necessary), with this small workforce there will always be companies that play by their own rules.  

What really needs to happen is a shift in public opinion about the importance of safety. Workplace injuries need to have such a stigma attached to them that employees wouldn't consider working for a company that would treat them this way.    

The future: workers won't let companies hide their injuries

This will only happen as public opinion about the importance of safety grows and as champion companies invest into the transfer of knowledge to the next generation of leaders. The WSIB is currently addressing this concern through their prevent-it.ca campaign and many other endeavors that they support and companies such as Hydro One are investing large amounts of time and resources into educating the next generation of leaders. 

Let's hope that five years from now - companies won't be able to hide worker injuries because workers won't let them.