You say that the person creating the file can save it in a different way.

If so, they can open the Word document then choose 'Save as' from the File menu and,  in the box that opens, choose either 'Works format'  or 'Rich Text Format (rtf)' from the 'Save as Type' option'.

 RTF is a universal format that will open with works. (Incidentally earlier versions of Microsoft Word for Windows - versions 2.x, 95, 97, and 2000 (.doc) files used to open in Works directly)

Here is someting else you can try. I dont have a copy of Works with me at the present time so I can't run through it. Does this work? 

1. In Works, Click File, and then click Open

2. Browse to the folder that contains your file.
      NOTE: If the file is an e-mail attachment, you need to save it to your computer first.

3. In the Files of type list, click the file type for the program that created the file.

4.Now just click the file, and then click Open.