Job trending upward in latest NCCI survey
- The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) recently released the latest edition of its Labor Market Insights report. It provides a monthly overview of key labor market statistics and potential impact on workers’ compensation.
- As NCCI suggested in last month’s Labor Market Insights, January saw much better than expected employment growth, with fewer seasonal layoffs likely playing a role.
- In the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ benchmark revisions for 2023, employment gains increased from 225,000 jobs per month to 255,000, and employment grew more broadly at the industry level than initial estimates suggested.
- Average weekly earnings grew at a pace of just 3.0% from the previous January, while average hourly earnings grew at a rate of 4.5%.
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NYSIF expedites workers’ comp payments
- The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) announced the results of its 18-month-long effort to bolster enrollment in direct deposit and fast-track workers’ comp and disability benefit payments, helping injured workers gain quicker access to their benefits.
- Since the program began, NYSIF has issued approximately 778,000 faster payments to workers and beneficiaries, and its direct deposit enrollment has jumped 46%.
- At the onset of a claim, NYSIF informs injured workers about the advantages of direct deposit, including receiving benefits faster and the convenience of avoiding a trip to the bank.
- The initiative speeds up direct deposit payments, which could take several days to clear, by using same-day ACH, giving workers access to benefits within 24 hours of payment instead of several days.
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Undocumented employees facing challenges with workers’ comp
- Undocumented workers grappling with workplace injuries in Connecticut find the situation especially difficult when it comes to workers’ compensation.
- The fear of legal repercussions or even deportation often prevents these workers from reporting workplace injuries to the state, adding a layer of vulnerability to their plight.
- There are 113,000 undocumented workers in Connecticut, primarily in the construction industry, according to estimates by the Migration Policy Institute.
- The latest Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission report indicates that during the 2022-23 fiscal year, more than 32,000 injuries were formally reported, and 20,380 cases were created.
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Florida lawmakers want government protection against heat injuries
- Workers in Florida are protesting two proposed state bills that would insulate local governments from heat safety rule-making, relying on company officials to regulate themselves regarding shade, rest, and hydration for workers.
- The House and Senate versions of the proposal have drawn criticism from advocates who seek more heat safety oversight as the mercury continues to rise.
- The proposed bill would prohibit local governments from forcing companies to provide heat aid and services to workers beyond what is already required by law.
- There is federal oversight on workplace safety but no regulations specific to heat exposure for outdoor workers.
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