City of Kamloops A Guide for City Employees

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Through the City's contracted EAP provider, you and your immediate family members can access counseling, information and referral services to help with personal problems that may affect your family life, work life, or general well-being. This is a free, confidential service. You can contact the Human Resources office or refer to Corporate Policy HR-2-1 for more information.

Absence from Work

If you are unable to attend work due to your illness or injury, you must notify your supervisor on the first day of absence, as soon as possible, prior to your normal starting time. If you do not know your return date or length of absence, you need to phone your supervisor daily.

A Team Approach
Because no two disability situations are the same, recovery will mean different things to different people. In order to help you with your unique experience, the City of Kamloops encourages a "team approach". This involves creating a team to assist you in your recovery, which can include your supervisor, Human Resources, Safety, Payroll, union representatives (if applicable) and most importantly, you. You may be asked to attend meetings with your team so that they can ensure you are receiving important information and are making progress with your recovery. All workplace injuries must be immediately reported to a City of Kamloops Designated First Aid Attendant prior to seeking medical attention. More information on injury reporting procedures can be obtained through the Safety office. Workplace injuries are categorized into three basic groups: 1. Injuries Reported to First Aid - Injuries that the First Aid Attendant treats and records. Medical Aids - Injuries requiring medical aid where a worker sees a Doctor, Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, or any other medical professional. Lost Time Injuries - Injuries that result in the worker not being able to attend work any days following the injury. This does not include the day of injury or time away from work to attend medical appointments.

Contact us.
Human Resources Department 105 Seymour Street P. 250-828-3439 Safety Office P.250-828-3513

Disability Management Program

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www.kamloops.ca

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www.kamloops.ca

City of Kamloops A Guide for City Employees

Medical Information Sick Leave

Unionized employees should refer to their collective agreements for information on sick leave entitlements. Management staff can contact the Human Resources office for details on their sick leave coverage. If you do not have sick time available to you and/or do not qualify for long-term disability coverage, it is recommended that you apply for medical leave benefits through Human Resources Development Canada. You will need to request a record of employment from the Payroll office. You can also convert other paid leave entitlements (vacation, overtime) to sick leave if you have time available to use. A form for this conversion is available through the Human Resources or Payroll offices. Vacation and sick leave accruals can be affected depending on the length of unpaid leave. You can refer to Corporate Policy HR-6-2 for more details. The Payroll office can also provide information on benefit coverage during an unpaid leave. You may be required to provide information from a duly qualified medical practitioner for any illness or injury, certifying that you are unable to carry out your duties or the need for alternative work. You may also be required to have your physician complete an assessment form identifying any restrictions or limitations you may have. If your workplace injury resulted in a medical aid visit, or lost time, you will need to have the assessment form completed prior to returning to work. This information can be used to create a graduated return to work schedule and/or to identify suitable modified duties. If you should be off for an extended period of time, you may be asked to provide regular updates from your doctor. You may also be contacted on a regular basis by either your supervisor, Human Resources and/or the Safety Department to see if any assistance can be provided to you.

WorkSafeBC Claims
If the injury occurred at work or arose out of the course of employment, you may be entitled to WorkSafeBC benefits. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, loss of wages, mdical treatment costs, prescriptions, and/or other aids. Injuries or illnesses that require medical aid or result in lost time initiate a claim with WorkSafeBC. The City of Kamloops is required to report all such injuries to WorkSafeBC by completing a Form 7. Your doctor is also required to submit a report to WorkSafeBC upon your visit. Prior to accepting a claim, WorkSafeBC must also receive a completed Application for Compensation and Report of Injury or Occupational Disease Form (Form 6) from you. This form is either completed by you at the doctor's office or it is mailed to you by WorkSafeBC. The sooner you are able to complete this form, the sooner a decision can be made on your claim. Your claim will not be accepted if you do not complete a Form 6. For more information on injury reporting and the WorkSafeBC claim process, you can contact the Safety Office or visit WorkSafeBC.com.

Long-Term Disability
The City's long-term disability carrier provides the support and expertise needed for you to recover from your disability to the best of your abilities. This includes providing financial support by paying any disability benefits you're entitled to, helping you develop a successful rehabilitation program if appropriate to your situation, and providing resources you may need to further assist in your recovery. Waiting periods and eligibility for longterm disability coverage vary depending on your employment status (union or management) with the City. If it is possible you will be applying for coverage due to a prolonged absence from work, you should contact the Human Resources or Payroll offices to find out when and how to begin your application. Your physician and your supervisor will need to provide information as part of this application.

Accommodation Guidelines
If you require an accommodation, the City's first goal is to return you to your original occupation and rate of pay, which requires determining if there is modification possible to accommodate your limitations. If it is not possible to return you to your original occupation, other available positions and alternatives will be considered. You should also apply for available positions that interest you and where your limitations will not present a barrier.