Registration Request FAQ

What is the purpose of the Online Employer Registration Request?
Can I call the WCB to register my business instead of using this application?
Are there any system requirements to use this application?
What information do I need to register with the WCB?
What is Account Contact Information used for?
Where do I find WCB Account Number Information?
Where do I find my Business Number?
What is the difference between a legal business name and a business trade name?
Who is a worker for WCB purposes?
How do I calculate Payroll Information?
What is Personal Coverage?
How do I determine my main business activity?
Where can I obtain more technical assistance?

What is the purpose of the Online Employer Registration Request?

The Online Employer Registration Request is an application you can use to begin the process of registering your business with the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba. You only need to go through this process one time and you can do so at your convenience (it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week).

When you complete the online registration request, your information is submitted to the WCB Assessment Services Department. They will review your information and follow up with you to let you know your status with the WCB.

Can I call the WCB to register my business instead of using this application?

If you prefer to speak to someone directly to register your business, you may call 204-954-4505 or toll free 1-855-954-4321 and we will register your business over the phone.

Are there any system requirements to use this application?

The system requirements for WCB’s Online Employer Registration Request application include:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0
• JavaScript enabled on your web browser
• Cookies enabled on your web browser
• Internet Account
• 800 x 600 display resolution, 1024 X 768 display resolution recommended

If your computer system does not meet any of the above requirements, a screen is displayed when you log on informing you of the minimum criteria and a list of messages that describe what part of your system does not meet the requirements.

While there is no minimum Internet connection speed required, faster connection speeds will provide better performance.

What information do I need to register with the WCB?

Before you begin, you should have the following information available so you can complete your request:

• Legal name of business entity (i.e. ownership)
• WCB Account Number (if known)
• Nine-digit Business Number (if known)
• Business Contact Information
• Date workers were/will be hired
• Estimated annual gross payroll for current year
• Information pertaining to sale if the business was purchased

What is Account Contact Information used for?

The information you enter on this screen will be used to contact whoever is identified to finalize the registration. Please note, if you enter an email address on this screen, the WCB will use email for our initial contact to confirm details of your registration and for all future contact unless we are instructed otherwise.

Once your registration is complete, you may add additional contacts as necessary at any time. For example, if someone in your organization is primarily responsible for claim related issues, you can identify them as a contact for this purpose.

Where do I find my WCB Account Number?

If you have not had previous contact with the WCB, you will not have a WCB Account Number. In this case, you can enter a Business Number in the space provided or you can select the option of “No account number or business number or unknown.”

If you have had contact with the WCB in the past, your Account Number will be available on any previous correspondence you received. Previous correspondence may refer to a Firm Number which is the same as Account Number.

If you provide your WCB Account Number, the Summary screen will be pre-populated with the information we have on our system. You will have the opportunity to review the information and make any changes that are necessary. Once you confirm and submit the information, it will be sent to the WCB’s Assessment Services Department and one of our staff will be in touch with you to finalize your registration if necessary.

Where do I find my Business Number?

If you previously registered with the Companies Office, they may have provided you with a Business Number. If you previously applied for a GST number, you will also have been given a Business Number.

If you provide your Business Number, the Summary screen will be pre-populated with the ownership and address information we have available to us. You will have the opportunity to review the information, provide additional relevant information and/or make any changes that are necessary. Once you confirm and submit the information, it will be sent to the WCB’s Assessment Services Department and one of our staff will be in touch with you to finalize your registration if necessary.

What is the difference between a legal business name and a business trade name?

The legal name of your business is the name registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. This may be different than the name under which you operate your business or your trade name. For example, you may have an incorporated numbered company – the numbered company is the name you need to provide for the legal name of your business. Your business name should be the name under which you operate publicly, if it is different.

Who is a worker for WCB purposes?

A worker is any person who enters into, or works under, a contract of service or apprenticeship, written or oral, expressed or implied, whether by way of manual labour or otherwise. The following are examples of workers for WCB purposes:

• Full-time staff
• Part-time staff
• Office/administrative staff
• Management staff
• Casual workers
• Executive officers who are not directors
• Shareholders who work for the firm but are not directors of the firm
• Learners/apprentices (persons undergoing training)
• Clerks
• Sales staff
• Staff paid on commission
• Staff paid on piecework
• Anyone with Personal Coverage
• Some contract workers*

*If you hire independent contractors, you should use the Clearances application to determine if they are registered with the WCB and in good standing. If they are in good standing, you do not need to include their earnings in your payroll calculations. If they are not in the system or do not show good standing status, you need to contact the WCB so we can determine whether they will be deemed to be your worker(s) and if you need to include their earnings in your payroll calculations.

Additional information about clearances can be found at Clearances – FAQ.  

How do I calculate Payroll Information?

When submitting payroll information, you must provide the WCB with an estimate of your payroll from the time you began employing until the end of the calendar year.

What is Personal Coverage?

Personal coverage is optional insurance for individuals not covered by The Workers Compensation Act and includes sole proprietors, partners and corporate directors.

Note: These individuals do not need to purchase Personal Coverage to obtain protection from legal action resulting from a workplace injury; however, if they wish to be eligible for WCB benefits in the event of a work-related injury, they must purchase Personal Coverage.

To learn more about Personal Coverage and the benefits to business owners, read the Personal Coverage for Business Owners Fact Sheet.

How do I determine my main business activity?

For the purposes of classification, the WCB of Manitoba, like all other Canadian compensation systems, assigns each business to an industry based on its main business activity rather than by occupation.

The main business activity of any business is generally the service or product for which it charges its customers a fee. Most other activities in a business support the main activity. For example, sales and administrative activities usually support the main activity of a business.

Where can I obtain more technical assistance?

If you require more in-depth technical assistance with the Online Employer Registration Request application, please contact the WCB Technical Support Team at 204-954-4573 in Winnipeg or toll free in Canada at 1-855-954-4321, ext. 4573. The WCB Technical Support Team is available to assist you from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except on statutory holidays).