The number of older employees in American workplaces is growing. This factor makes it even more important for employers to pay attention to workplace injuries. As employees age, their physical capabilities change. Such changes, which are usually normal with age or caused by chronic illnesses, play a major part in how employees respond to hazards in the workplace. Workers compensation, medical costs and productivity are all issues employers must consider. The number of older workers is expe...

How does safety pay dividends to the business owner? Time and resources spent on developing a culture of safety repays the business in the long run. Safety cultures rely on reducing the number of workers compensation claims, in return, the odds of a disastrous claim are reduced. Business owners with workers' compensation experience modifications above 1.25 need to review their safety policies with professionals. It is possible one year or even one claim causes this situation; but it ...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  - Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced that he has advised the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) that he would approve their initial rate increase request of 8.9% to become effective January 1, 2012 for workers’ compensation insurance rates in Florida based on evidence submitted in NCCI's rate filing, and during the October 11th rate hearing.   Commissioner McCarty’s Orderis technically a denial of NCCI's rate filing.  T...

 On August 30, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a final rule creating a new posting requirement for virtually all private-sector employers (excluding agricultural, railroad, and airline employers). The poster notifies employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), such as the right to form a union, bargain collectively, discuss terms and conditions of employment with coworkers, the right to strike, and the right to engage in other protective activit...

Employee leasing firms earned $68 billion in gross revenues in 2008, according to the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations. Their clients, primarily small businesses with fewer than 20 employees, outsource to leasing firms the responsibilities for payroll administration, employee benefits, workers' compensation claim management, human resource management, and related operations. Businesses trying to reduce costs and focus on growth may find employee leasing to be an attrac...

More than ever before the claims that happen today will impact Workers Comp Cost in the future, reducing controllable cost is critical in the survival of any business in today's environment.   NCCI has recently completed a comprehensive review of its Experience Rating Plan. As a result of this research, an increase to the primary/excess split point from the current value is being proposed. The expected change is to go from the current limit of $5,000 as the top end of a p...

Teach Your Employees the Three Ps to Prevent Workplace Back PainGiven that back pain is one of the most common reasons that U.S. employees give for missing work, it should be a major concern for employers. The American Chiropractic Association reports some 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at one point or another during a year.Back pain, although common, isn't necessarily always serious in nature. In fact, most cases aren't a symptom of an infection, cancer, inflammatory arthritis, o...

Employers with mobile employees should make sure that they are taking a proactive approach to ensuring that these employees are using their cell phones in a safe manner and not putting themselves and bystanders at risk of injury. Any employer with mobile employees should have a cell phone safety policy in place that clearly defines if and how cell phone usage is allowed while driving and what the repercussions for breaking the policy are. To help ensure that the cell phone safety policy is ...

Workplace safety should be a top priority every day.  Employees rely on themselves, their co-workers, and management to avoid hazards at the workplace, and it is of utmost importance to develop excellent work habits that emphasize the prevention of injury and illness. In fact, developing everyday safety habits, and living by them, can keep all workers injury free throughout the year.Below are some guidelines to help promote safety and well-being on the job:Stick to Your Own High Standards. ...