Date Issued: 12/09/1986
Revision Date: 20/06/2002
Policy
The Government of Saskatchewan provides benefits, within limits, in all instances where an employee is injured in the performance of duties or when an employee incurs an industrial illness, and the accident or illness is compensable and the employee is receiving payments under the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act, 1979.
Process
First Year Payment by Employer
For the first calendar year following any one accident the employee will receive his/her normal earnings from the employer, and any benefits payable from Workers' Compensation shall be paid directly to the Government on behalf of the employee.
Second Year
After one year from the date of injury to not more than two years from the date of injury or until the employee's sick leave credits are exhausted, whichever occurs first, the employee shall receive normal earnings from the employer, and any benefits from Workers' Compensation shall be paid directly to the Government on behalf of the employee. The difference between the employee's normal earnings and the benefit payable from Workers' Compensation shall be charged to the employee's available sick leave credits.
After two years from the date of injury or when the employee's sick leave credits are exhausted, whichever occurs first, the employee shall receive payments directly from Workers' Compensation Board only.
In all other instances the employee when no longer in receipt of Workers' Compensation payments, will be required to immediately return to his/her former position. Where the employee's position has been abolished or terminated, the employee shall have rights as set out in the Public Service Regulations or collective bargaining agreements.
Employee Status and Benefits
From and including the day of injury until not more than two years from the date of injury or the employee's sick leave credits are exhausted, whichever occurs first, the employee shall be deemed to be an active employee and earn all appropriate benefits.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an employee who continues to receive normal earnings from the Government shall be entitled to carry forward any unused vacation leave up to and including the full entitlement for the month of the injury, until he/she returns to work, however, the employee shall not earn any vacation leave credits.
After two years from the date of injury or when the employee's sick leave credits are exhausted, whichever occurs first, the employee shall receive an indefinite leave of absence and earn benefits in accordance with the appropriate Collective Agreement or the Regulations under the Public Service Act, whichever is applicable.
An employee who receives an indefinite leave of absence shall be paid out any outstanding vacation leave credits. Any over expenditure of vacation leave credits shall not be recovered from the employee.
Reduction for Sick Leave Utilized
The employee's accumulated sick leave credits will be reduced by the amount of sick leave required to make up the difference between the employee's normal earnings and the benefit payable from Workers' Compensation.
Joint Rehabilitation Committee
If an employee incurs a disability arising from a compensable injury on the job, which prevents resumption of work in their own position held prior to the injury and the employee is capable of carrying out other duties, the employee if covered by PS/SGEU Collective Agreement, will be covered by PS 705-1, Return to work Process Developed by Joint Rehabilitation Committee.
This will be accomplished through joint Union Management committees, where applicable, and through referral to the Employee Assistance Program for out of scope employees.
Application
All employees appointed under the Public Service Act.
Authority
PS Regs Part 5, Section 77 & 78;
SGEU Article 23;
CUPE Local 600-3, Article 24
Inquiries
For inquiries, please contact the Human Resource Service Centre.