While I was out of the office last week, it was announced that this blog, “From Bob's Cluttered Desk”, was once again selected by LexisNexis as one of 2012's “Top 25 Blogs” for the workers' compensation industry. Within the list, this is one of 4 blogs honored in the “National Blog” category. This is the…
Business Must be Back in Michigan
We've heard that our continually struggling economy has been particularly harsh on businesses in the northern manufacturing states. It has been acknowledged that Michigan, with its heavy reliance on the auto industry, has been especially hard hit. I am sure there is much truth to that, but it was not in evidence by what I…
Is Australia Becoming the Ultimate Sissy State?
Normally I would refer to proposals such as the ones being considered in Australia as “Nanny State” regulation, but this doesn’t even rise to that ignominious level. No, this is pure Sissy State stuff. Safe Work Australia has outlined a draft code of practice designed to address bullying in the workplace. These codes would be…
A Very Quick Thank You
I just wanted to make a quick post to thank everyone who extended such kind wishes and support after the passing of my mother. It has been a long week, but we are traveling home today (Sunday), and look forward to the return of normalcy tomorrow (as normal as my life can be, anyway). Her…
When Your Laptop Takes a Holiday
Today’s mobile technology brings many opportunities, but has definitive challenges and pitfalls for those of us who spend a good amount of time, well, working in a mobile environment. I certainly learned that the hard way last week. As I wrote Friday, it had already been a challenging week. But there was one more surprise…
I Know Why They Call It The Long Goodbye
The day was already not going well. I was headed to Detroit to speak at the fall conference of the Michigan Self Insurers Association, and had boarded my flight in Tampa. After a 40 minute delay over a hydraulic leak, the airline announced that the flight would be cancelled. I was put on a plane…
Work Comp Analysis Group Approaches Another Big Milestone
On November 28, 2008, Mark Walls sat down at his computer and created a group on LinkedIn which would eventually come to be known as the Work Comp Analysis Group. Mark did not know it that day, but he was opening an entirely new front in the information revolution that has shaped our industry over…
Death By Cooking at Bumble Bee Tuna Facility
You wonder how it could happen. Thursday a 62-year-old employee was found cooked to death at a California plant used for tuna maker Bumble Bee Foods. Jose Melena was found just before 7 a.m. at the plant located in Santa Fe Springs, CA. He was found inside what is known as a “steamer machine. At…
Squirrel Loving Moron Displaces Dozens, Gives Firefighter Broken Toe
The fire was intense. Multiple apartments were burned or water damaged. Dozens of people were displaced from their homes, and a firefighter broke a toe while fighting the blaze. Investigators say the fire destroyed a Holland Township, Michigan apartment building Wednesday afternoon. And the cause? A man with a propane torch in a third floor…
He Must Have Thought They Said "Men Excite Us"
Just when we thought the Meningitis scare couldn't get any worse, Florida's Governor Rick Scott proves otherwise. A steroid used to treat back pain has been discovered to have been contaminated with fungal meningitis, causing a nationwide panic among those who administered and received the shots. As many as 13,000 people have been exposed. The…