Utilization patterns and effectiveness of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board mediation services in Ontario: Some preliminary implications for program evaluation.

摘要

This study examined utilization and effectiveness of Return to Work (RTW) Mediation Services offered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board in Ontario. The study sample was comprised of 344 individuals (175 males and 169 females; average age = 43.7 years, ranging from 20 to 67 years). This represented a 10% random selection of clients with completed mediations. Results showed that, overall, the RTW mediation program operated at a high success rate, with 77% of clients reaching mediated agreements resulting in return to work. In addition, few individual factors, including age, gender, and sector of employment seemed to limit access to the service, or affect success rates of mediations. Lower rates of accessing the service were observed among those who waited until the 4th year or later post-accident, and those who did not have a cooperative RTW program in their workplace. Reaching agreements through mediation was strongly associated with early referral to the service.