November 18, 2011 – Halifax, NS – The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is accepting the recommendations of a privacy review report recently released by the Privacy Review Office (PRO).
The WCB will implement some of the recommendations immediately, and others, it will accept in principle with the process of implementation to happen over time.
“We have a strong privacy policy in place and we continue to evolve our approach and make improvements to protect the information of those we serve,” said Leo McKenna, CFO and VP of Corporate Services. “The privacy review has been a valuable learning process for the WCB and we’ve gained some fresh perspective and helpful feedback.”
The WCB handles more than 1 million claim-related documents and payment transactions every year, most of which contain personally identifying information. All WCB employees are required to complete annual privacy training with a focus on containing breaches, remedying them and learning from them in order to prevent further breaches.
“Privacy breaches, much like workplace injuries, can be prevented and our employees achieve this in the vast majority of our transactions,” said McKenna. “However, just as we believe one workplace injury is too many, we also believe one privacy breach is too many, and we will continue to strive towards achieving this goal.”
About the WCB: The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is committed to keeping Nova Scotians safe and secure from workplace injury. The WCB provides workplace injury insurance for more than 18,000 employers, representing about 300,000 workers across the province. The WCB sets the standard for workplace injury insurance by informing and inspiring Nova Scotians in the prevention of workplace injury. If an injury occurs, we support those whose lives it touches by championing a timely return to safe and healthy work.
For more information, please contact:
Julie Trites, Communications Advisor
Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
902-491-8110
902-220-0687 (c)
julie.trites@wcb.gov.ns.ca