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Code of Conduct

Everyone who interacts with the WCB is required to follow our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct sets out clear examples of unacceptable behaviour, including—but not limited to— discrimination, harassment, violence, and frivolous and vexatious conduct (unreasonable or disruptive behaviour).

It is important for the WCB to maintain a safe environment. When individuals display behaviour that is against our Code of Conduct, the WCB may be required to restrict their interactions with the WCB to ensure the safety of staff and others. 

Our expectations

At the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB), we expect the people who work here to treat you with respect.

In return, we expect you to treat the people who work here in the same way.

A two-way relationship of civility helps to make sure our interactions are productive, even when there are disagreements.

Unacceptable behaviour

Everyone interacting with the WCB must abide by our Code of Conduct. It sets the standard for reasonable interactions with the people who work here.

Behaviour that is abusive, serves no purpose related to WCB services, or might reasonably cause harm to the person on the receiving end (or to anyone else who witnesses the situation), is against our Code of Conduct.

Some examples of behaviour that is unacceptable in all circumstances, because it compromises the safety, health and security of the people who work at the WCB, are listed below.

Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited, to:

Discrimination

  • treating a person differently based on someone’s personal characteristics, group identity, or other category to which they belong (or are perceived to belong) such as making racist, sexist, homophobic, or any other derogatory remarks

Harassment

  • a single event, or a series of events, that could reasonably result in someone’s loss of dignity, or have lasting, harmful effects
  • sex-based comments or sexual advances that a reasonable person would know are unwelcome, hostile or inappropriate
  • bullying (comments or gestures that intimidate, demean or humiliate)
  • stalking (repeated badgering, following and undesired contact) that causes someone to fear for their safety, or for the safety of someone they know

Violence

  • using physical force against a person or property, or making threats that give someone reasonable cause to believe they may be harmed
  • brandishing, wielding, or throwing objects or weapons
  • verbal abuse, spitting, punching, or kicking
  • sexual assault 

Vexatious or Frivolous Contact

Behaviour that creates burden or disruption to the WCB without any legitimate basis, such as:

  • persistent communication with the WCB that contains no new information
  • insisting on outcomes with no reasonable basis to do so, or demanding services that are not within the WCB’s authority to provide

Our commitment

The WCB is committed to providing respectful and courteous service to you.

In doing so, you must abide by this Code of Conduct, or risk having the WCB place restrictions on how you access our services.

The WCB will investigate all reports of unacceptable behaviour, and may respond by taking actions such as:

  • issuing a verbal warning
  • issuing a written warning
  • limiting who an individual may contact at the WCB
  • restricting what subject matter the WCB will respond to from an individual
  • limiting when an individual may contact the WCB
  • limiting where an individual may meet someone who works for the WCB
  • modifying how an individual may contact the WCB
  • involving the police or other appropriate authorities if necessary

The WCB is committed to transparency, accountability, fairness and consistency in how we enforce our Code of Conduct. The WCB uses caution when restricting an individual’s access to services, and we take into consideration the individual’s personal circumstances.

The WCB only applies restrictions on access to services when an individual’s behaviour raises the types of personal safety and resource issues identified in our Code of Conduct.

Process for review

The WCB generally reviews restrictions on access to services at six months from the time they were imposed,  and then every six months after, if restrictions continue.

Upon review, the WCB may continue, modify or eliminate the restrictions depending on the circumstances. The WCB notifies affected individuals of these decisions.

Individuals may also ask that the WCB re-evaluate restrictions placed on their access to services once during any six month time period described above.  

Decisions taken under this Code of Conduct are not subject to the WCB’s appeal processes set forth in legislation or WCB policy.

Individuals may convey concerns about decisions taken under this Code of Conduct to the WCB’s Fair Practices Office or to the Manitoba Ombudsman.

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