SilverLink - Winter 2008 - (Page 6)

• • • • • • Establish an effective and written Return-To-Work program. Hire people who are “fit for the job,” as based on appropriate job descriptions. Document prior injuries and job fitness issues for all employees post-hire. Establish relationships with carefully chosen Occupational Medicine practitioners. Educate and train supervisors on post-injury procedures and all employees on your philosophies and “the basics.” Create and maintain a positive corporate culture, starting at the top and continuing down to the last new hire. Critical steps to take after an injury occurs include: • • Follow a written, repeatable claims and/or disability management process. Avoid extended work absences by returning employees to work as soon as medically possible, utilizing a light or transitional work program whenever necessary. Maintain positive ongoing communications with the employee, supervisor, medical practitioners and agency and company claim file managers. Don’t just hand over a claim to the insurance carrier and expect him or her to “do their job.” If an employee is not recovering as expected, investigate any other underlying or related causes of his or her disability and remember to differentiate between injury-related and performance-related issues. • • Keeping the Storm at Bay The employer’s goal is to keep experience mod factors consistently low, which can, in turn, help to keep costs low—in essence, helping the boat stay afloat even if a storm approaches. The key to driving down work comp costs is to have a program that is teachable, repeatable and supported by the entire organization. Long-term success can be achieved when employers, medical professionals and employees make the right decisions to do the right things at the right times. Employers also need to utilize the expertise of insurance agents or brokers, who can be excellent resources on the most effective ways to manage risks and costs. Employers must understand that successful management of the risks and costs associated with workers’ compensation is an ongoing process—not an event. By patiently working the process, striving for consistency and focusing on future successes, it may be possible to avoid the worst of the work comp storm cycle and remain safely in the eye of the storm. 1 This article incorporates ideas presented in “Breaking Free from the Price Cycle,” by Frank Pennachio, June 1, 2006 , Risk & Insurance, accessed November 4, 2007 at http://www.riskandinsurance.com/story.jsp?storyId=13408579, and is used with the author’s permission. contact eivind ol and at 605.332.3882 x102 or eol and @ ssgi.coM 6 http://www.riskandinsurance.com/story.jsp?storyId=13408579

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SilverLink - Winter 2008

SilverLink - Winter 2008 Contents Risk Management: Where in the World is Human Resource Consulting? Workers’ Compensation Rate Declines Insurance Certificates Haute Retirement It All Began with a Cup of Coffee Playing Fair in the Housing Market Captives 101 Proceed with Caution Fore! (Or is it Pull? or Giddyup?) Don’t Be Fuelish Employee Benefits: Medical Trend Countdown to Compliance Private Client Services: Buy & Sell Agreements Flood Insurance Pushing Wealth to the Next Generation Client Spotlight: Travel and Transport Internal Happenings: SilverStone Group Giving Back Since 1945

SilverLink - Winter 2008

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