Building blocks for a strong return-to-work program
- A return-to-work program allows organizations to bring employees with a short-term illness or injury back to the workplace before they are released to full duty.
- Studies show that when an employee stays at work or returns sooner, they recover more quickly than if they were sitting at home.
- Employers should consider the costs associated with recruiting and onboarding new talent. It could potentially be more than what it would cost to retain current talent.
- If an employee can return to work following a temporary, modified, light or transitional duty arrangement, the employer may not need to engage in the interactive dialogue the ADA requires.
Largest workers’ comp carrier in N.Y. Distributes more than half billion dollars
The New York State Insurance Fund, New York’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, distributed more than $550 million over the past year to New York businesses through its discounts and dividends programs.
NYSIF offers discounts to companies that it insures directly and that exhibit robust worker safety protocols.
It also provides dividends for companies that belong to an NYSIF safety group, where employers in similar industries pool together to reduce workers’ compensation costs.
The program is a part of Governor Hochul’s mission to provide relief and cost savings to New York businesses.
Connecticut contractor workers comp gaffe costly
Candela Systems Corp. in Connecticut has accused Keevily Spero-Whitelaw Inc. of breach of contract, in a complaint filed in Westchester Supreme Court.
The mishandled workers’ compensation claim has allegedly cost Candela Systems $30 million.
The claim involved a Candela employee Steven Nickerson who was injured in a motor vehicle collision while allegedly driving a Candela vehicle.
Nickerson submitted a workers’ compensation claim to New York State Insurance Fund, asserting that he was injured during the course of his employment with Candela, but it was allegedly meritless.
Labor Dept. takes steps for temporary workers’ safety, health
- OSHA and the American Staffing Association established an alliance to improve the workplace safety and health of temporary workers.
- OSHA and ASA signed an Ambassador document on Aug. 9, 2022, to improve safety and health practices and programs in American workplaces.
- The goal of an Ambassador is to continue the longstanding relationships between OSHA and Alliance participants through ongoing outreach and information-sharing, and training.
- OSHA and ASA first signed an alliance in 2014 that was renewed in 2016. Their collaboration has resulted in several successful initiatives.