To offer more assistance to CKL employers who are enrolled, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) has now announced a “relief package”, permitting employers to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020.
The WSIB has also announced that the costs for COVID-19 claims will be allocated on a Schedule-wide basis and, therefore, will not result in premium increases for 2020.
Schedule 1 employers are eligible to defer their reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. This applies to monthly payments due March 31, April 30, May 31, June 30, and July 31, 2020, to quarterly payments due April 30 and July 31, 2020, and to annual payments due April 30, 2020.
Schedule 2 employers—–including certain publicly funded organizations and certain businesses involved in federally regulated industries—are also eligible to defer reporting and payment obligations.
No interest will accrue and no penalties will be charged during the deferral period.
Notably, eligible employers are not required to opt-in to the deferral – it is automatic. For those employers electing not to participate, reports may still be submitted online and payments may can be made online or via mail.
The WSIB has also announced that there will be no change in premium rates for 2020, aimed at facilitating employees’ ability to comply with public health orders, such as self-isolation or quarantine orders. This will not, however, change employers’ obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
