Submit your complaint to the Fair Practices Commissioner

    What have you already done about your complaint?

    The Fair Practices Commissioner reviews complaints that have already been investigated by WorkSafeBC’s Issue Resolution Office. If you have a complaint regarding WorkSafeBC service or process, the first step is to bring your concern to the manager of the WorkSafeBC staff member you are working with. If you are dissatisfied with the response you received from the manager, you may make a complaint to the Issue Resolution Office and provide them with all the allegations, information and evidence, and perspectives that you would like to have reviewed before bringing your matter here.

    Not satisfied with the service you’ve received?

    If you feel you have been treated unfairly by a WorkSafeBC officer and you are not satisfied after making a complaint to the officer’s
    supervisor or manager, please follow these steps.

    If the Issue Resolution Office has not yet reviewed your complaint, the Fair Practices Commissioner will refer your matter to them first.

    If you have not submitted your complaint to the Issue Resolution Office, you can find information on how to submit a complaint to their office here: Issue Resolution Office.

    Did WorkSafeBC’s Issue Resolution Office address this complaint and conclude its investigation?

    YesNo

    About you

    Under the Workers Compensation Act, the Fair Practices Commissioner can review complaints from workers, employers, and dependants of workers. Please indicate if you are a:

    WorkerEmployerDependant

    If you are a worker, include your WorkSafeBC

    If you are an employer, include your WorkSafeBC

    About your complaint

    The Fair Practices Commissioner can review circumstances where you have been unfairly treated in your dealings with the Board. This does not include complaints about the outcome of compensation, assessment, or prevention decisions; the outcome of review or appeal decisions; or any matter with a court or other external tribunal.

    Is your complaint asking for a different decision on a question of compensation or benefits?

    YesNo

    Is your complaint about an assessment or prevention decision?

    YesNo

    If your answer to either question is “Yes”, then you should seek a review or appeal of the decision if you have not already done so. Information on how to seek a review or appeal can be found here: Review & Appeal

    If you are a worker and require assistance with an appeal or review, you may wish to consider consulting with the Workers’ Advisers Office. Click here for more information.

    Typically, an unfair process exists where:

    1. There was unreasonable delay in acting, deciding, or returning calls.

    2. Decisions or actions were not communicated clearly, or no reasons were given, or no next steps or options were explained.

    3. The service was biased, not objective and courteous, or mistakes were not acknowledged, and apologies not offered when appropriate.

    4. You were not given an opportunity to respond before a decision was made.

    This is not an exhaustive list and any example of unfairness in how you have been treated can be investigated by the Issue Resolution Office and reviewed by the Fair Practices Commissioner.

    Which of the following best describes your complaint? (click on all that apply)

    I was given no opportunity to provide input or respondThere was unreasonable delay in the processCommunication was poorNo reasons were given for a decisionReasons given for a decision were not understandableThe decision maker was not impartial or was biasedThe service was not courteous or politeThere was a failure to admit a mistakeThere was a no apology for a mistake

    Have you been in contact with the Workers’ Advisers Office, Employers’ Advisers Office, legal counsel or other advocate for support regarding your complaint?

    YesNo

    Description of your complaint

    For each category of complaint that you checked above, please provide as specific a description as you can about why you believe your complaint to be true. All this information should already have been provided to the Issue Resolution Office, but if there is anything additional you would like to have considered, please describe it here. The Fair Practices Commissioner does not interview complainants, so please be as specific and detailed as you can. If it is easier, attach a complete description as a separate document and upload it at the link below, or you can mail additional information to the address below with a note linking it to this complaint.

    If you do not provide specific information about each box you checked in the last section, your complaint cannot be considered.

    If you check a box and provide information about something that has not already been investigated by the Issue Resolution Office, then that complaint will be investigated by the Issue Resolution Office before it is considered by the Fair Practices Commissioner.

    Please attach any relevant information to support your complaint.

    Before submitting your complaint, please review your information to ensure it is complete and accurate.

    If you prefer, you can submit your complaint to the Fair Practices Commissioner by mail. For requests by mail, please include your:

    • Contact information, including full name, phone number, and address
    • WorkSafeBC claim number, if you’re a worker
    • WorkSafeBC account number, if you’re an employer
    • Detailed description of the circumstances of your complaint
    • Documentation to support your complaint (if available)

    Mailing address:
    WorkSafeBC
    Attn: Fair Practices Commissioner
    PO Box 97164 Richmond Stn Main
    Richmond, BC
    V6X 8H3

    WorkSafeBC may access certain information in your existing file(s) or account records under the authority of the Workers Compensation Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

    WorkSafeBC collects information on this form for the purpose of investigating your complaint. Collection of your personal information is authorized under section 26(c) of FIPPA. If you have questions about the collection of your personal information, please contact WorkSafeBC’s FIPP Office, at PO Box 2310 Stn Terminal, Vancouver BC, V6B 3W5, email FIPP@worksafebc.com or call 604.279.8171.