Drastically Reduce Your Workers Comp Costs with a Successful Return-to-Work Program
Margaret Spence is the Founder and CEO of Douglas Claims & Risk Consultants, Inc. based in Boca Raton, Florida. She is an expert at showing companies how to slash their workers’ compensation cost by implementing strategies that drastically reduce injury rates, increase productivity and energize employees to work safely.
In a recent article, Margaret discusses the elements that are vital for a company’s return-to-work program to have the best chance at success over the long run. One of the most common errors, according to the article, is that employers often do not lay the necessary groundwork before any injury occurs. She formulated this checklist:
- Create a written return-to-work policy.
- Review the policy with new employees during their new-hire orientation or with existing employees during their annual review.
- Write a detailed job demand evaluation that identifies the specific tasks and physical demands associated with each job within the company.
- Create a detailed job description for every position.
- Establish a working relationship with a walk-in clinic or occupational medical center.
- Assign a specific person in the organization that will be responsible for administering the return-to-work program. This person should have a thorough knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Workers’ Compensation Statutes.
These steps provide a solid foundation to any return-to-work program. Programs that are hastily put together after the injury are similar to a house made of sand.
We are really proud to have worked with Margaret and Douglas Claims & Risk Consultants for several years. Marty Davis, CEO of Legal Solutions Group, will be a member of a panel that Margaret is moderating at an upcoming seminar. Held on October 8, 2010, from 1-4 pm at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites in Miami, the panel will discuss “hot topics” for South Florida area employers. Marty will be discussing issues relating to workers compensation and labor relations issues. Please contact us for more information.
Legal Solutions Group is also the General Counsel for the Florida Stay at Work Consortium, an organization that promotes the use of Stay at Work (SAW) and Return-to-Work (RTW) strategies and efforts as part of its overall approach to producing optimal health, social, and economic outcomes.