From the Desk of Larry Feeler While the recent economic crisis has employers scrambling to remain profitable, while simultaneously downsizing workforces, few are evaluating how changes in fundamental Workers’ Compensation practices can increase profitability and halt the need to eliminate jobs. Ask a businessperson how much they spend on Workers’ Compensation and almost all will respond by quoting the price of the premium. Yet, the direct costs of Workers’ Compensation often represent only 20-30 percent of the overall injury expenses. Indirect costs, including overtime, temporary labor, increased training, supervisor time, production delays, unhappy customers, increased stress, and property or equipment damage represent several times the direct cost of the injury. It is estimated that the direct cost of workplace injuries was $53.42 billion in 2010 while the total financial impact of both direct and indirect costs is estimated to exceed $300 billion. Employers are relentlessly searching for better prevention, safety, early intervention and proven Workers’ Compensation management programs that reduce overall work injury costs and create a safer environment for workers. The challenge … the COSTS!
Click here to read full article
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From Jackson Lewis' Disability, Leave and Health Management Blog
Meet GINA: In Casual Conversation, Keep it General to Keep it Lawful
By: Michael Solstis Date: 11/28/2011 We posted recently about GINA’s prohibiting an employer from “actively” listening to conversations between colleagues in which they discuss their genetic information, including family medical history, and how it will limit an employer’s internet searches of applicants and employees. Add casual conversations, sometimes referred to as "water cooler" conversation, to the list of workplace activities curtailed by GINA. Title II of GINA prohibits the use of genetic information in employment, restricts employers from requesting, requiring or purchasing genetic information, and limits employers from disclosing genetic information. This general prohibition does not apply where an employer “inadvertently” requests genetic information of the individual or the individual’s family member. Is acquisition of such information about an individual obtained from that individual or third parties during a casual conversation inadvertent? Click here to read full article
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WorkSTEPS Annual Symposium
May 4-6, 2011 - Orlando, FL
WorkSTEPS is excited about this year's annual Symposium at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando. We know that both employers and our provider network will benefit from the varied topics included. Please stay tuned for the full agenda. Until then, here is the Conference At A Glance:
Thursday, May 5 - Employer & Provider Conference: Updates on the New ADAAA regulations by Frank Alvarez of Jackson Lewis, how healthcare reform effects functional testing, updates on legal compliance, best practices for wellness programming and OSHA reporting, and much more...
Friday, May 6 - Provider Conference: Updates on the WS protocols, recertification, legal compliance, fit-for-duty and return to work programs, best practices for industrial rehab practices, and more...
Wednesday-Thursday, May 4-5 - WorkSTEPS Initial Employment Testing and FCE Certification Training
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WorkSTEPS Corporate Staff Giving Back to the Community
At WorkSTEPS, our corporate goal is to create safer workplaces for the benefit of not only employers, but employees and their families as well. Through our program, and related prevention services, employers can prevent injuries, ensure fair hiring, and keep their workers safe and working. At the WorkSTEPS corporate office, our staff members feel great about the good that we do on a national level. In the spirit of giving back to the community, we also volunteer every week for delivery for Meals on Wheels to help those people who suffer from disabilities that prevent them from leaving their homes. Through the Meals on Wheels program, we are able to make a difference not only on a national corporate level, but on a personal, local level in our own community.
About Meals on Wheels and More
Mission: Meals on Wheels and More seeks to nourish and enrich the lives of the homebound and other people in need through programs that promote dignity and independent living.
About MOWAM: This year MOWAM celebrates 38 years of service to the Greater Austin Area. What began as a program of 8 volunteers serving 29 seniors has now expanded into a multi-service organization of 5,000 volunteers serving almost 3,400 elderly and disabled persons each day.
Aside from preparing an average of 1,035,00 meals in 2009 year, MOWAM also offers other programs designed to keep people healthy and living in their own homes.
Click Here for more informationon Meals on Wheels
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UPCOMING EVENTS WorkSTEPS Training
April 1-2, 2011
Dallas, TX
May 4-5, 2011
Orlando, FL
Employer Seminars
March 15, 2011
Montoursville, PA
Lindee Greer, Speaker
March 17, 2011
Towanda, PA
Lindee Greer, Speaker
April 5, 2011
Lonoke, AR
Lindee Greer, Speaker
WorkSTEPS Annual Symposium
May 4-6, 2011
Orlando, FL
At-A-Glance
May 4-5 - New Provider Training
May 5 - Employer Conference - Updates on the ADAAA -
Frank Alvarez, Attorney | JL
and more!
May 5-6 - Provider Conference
(For more information, contact Stacy Clark at 512-617-4100 x202 or stacyc@worksteps.com.
Walt Disney Swan & Dolphin
Click Here for Reservations at a discounted rate!
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ROI STATISTICS
“Total back injury costs went from $898,691 to $148,793 in one year…a reduction of 84%. At the same time employee turnover was down 43% although man-hours worked were the same.” Safety Director Well Servicing Company
Employers using our employment testing are experiencing injury reductions and cost savings averaging between 50%- 86%!
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EXPANSION
We are currently working on implementing or expanding testing programs for 58 Corporate Employer Clients, both national and regional during the first quarter of 2011.
WorkSTEPS has added new Provider locations this month in:
| Alabama | | | Arkansas | | | Mississippi | | | Oklahoma | | | Pennsylvania | | | Texas | |
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