Workers’ CompensationWhat Supervisors Need to Know

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:• Recognize the benefits of workers’

compensation • Complete reports and help workers file claims•Maintain contact with employees on leave and

ease their return to work• Help prevent workplace accidents and keep

workers’ comp costs down

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Session Outline•Workers’ comp, what it covers, and when it

applies• Costs and special provisions• Claims and reporting requirements• Contact during leave and the return to work• Preventing workplace accidents

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Benefits of Workers’ Comp•Workers’ comp is good for our company and

our employees• It ensures prompt and proper care for work-

related injuries and illness• It provides income while workers recover and

eases their return to work

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

What Is Workers’ Comp?• Accident insurance program • State mandated • Compulsory• Company funded

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

What Does It Cover?• Medical and

rehabilitation expenses • Lost wages • Death benefits

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

When Does It Apply?•Work-related injuries •Work-related illness• Exceptions

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Cost of Workers’ Comp• State formula • Risk factors for specific

jobs • Employer’s claims

history

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Special Provisions• No lawsuits • No retaliation

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Filing Claims• Normal claims • Fraudulent claims

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Reporting Requirements• Accident reports • Medical reports • OSHA forms

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Workers’ Comp Basics• Questions?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Maintaining Contact• Keep up employee’s morale • Encourage employees to maintain treatment • Demonstrate that the employee is expected

back at work• Alert claims manager to any problems • Show concern for employee’s well-being

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Easing the Return to Work• Rehabilitation and

therapy • Consultation with

medical professionals • Alternate duty work• When no alternate duty

work is available

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Alternate Duty• Transitional phase • Way for a recovering

employee to make productive contribution • Temporary • Monitored

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Alternate Duty (cont.)

• Chance for employee to rebuild strength• Opportunity for

employee to learn prevention techniques• Morale booster

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

What Alternate Duty Isn’t• Make-work • An excuse to goof off • A task that could re-

injure the worker or aggravate an illness

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Alternate Duty Suggestions• Less strenuous parts of normal job • Normal job tasks performed part-time or at a

slower pace • A combination of less strenuous or stressful

parts of several jobs• A special project without a tight deadline

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Permanent Disability• Some disabilities

prevent any work • Others may require an

employee to do a different job

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Return to Work• Questions?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Accident Prevention• Conduct regular safety

inspections • Correct identified

problems immediately • Hold frequent safety

meetings • Include safety in

performance evaluations

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Accident Prevention (cont.)

• Require safe housekeeping• Perform equipment maintenance on

schedule• Encourage employee safety involvement • Highlight safety achievements

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Accident Investigations• Conduct or cooperate with safety

investigations • Evaluate situations that lead to stress-related

claims

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Accident Investigations (cont.)

• Correct conditions that cause injury or illness • Follow up to ensure that corrective action

has been implemented

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0506

Key Points to Remember• Report all injuries and illness promptly• Help workers file claims•Maintain contact with workers on leave • Help make the transition back to work • Help reduce claims and keep down costs by

promoting safety and preventing accidents