In the first week of January 2017, I boldly laid forth within the pages of this blog a work of tremendous consequence. It was the issuance of my (occasionally) annual ritual of predictions and prognostications for the coming year. At that point in time, it was the most widely read Cluttered Desk piece for the…
When TSA Catches Your Dumbass Idiot Mistake
I have spent a good deal of time in this blog writing about and making fun of other people’s idiotic actions and dumbass mistakes. In fact, you might say I have built a reputation around highlighting both absurdity and ignorance. Therefore, it is only fair that, when I do something that is colossally ill-advised, inappropriate…
Unethical Behavior and Misaligned Incentives Are a Great Hot Seat Topic
We announced a couple weeks ago that our new webinar series, “The Hot Seat,” would return with its second episode on January 5, 2018. The title for this second webinar is “Violating Trust: Ethical Conundrums in Workers’ Compensation.” The guests that will be joining co-host Judge David Langham and me will be attorneys Robert Rassp…
Non-Occupational Injuries, Integrated Care and Misaligned Incentives
In his column on WorkersCompensation.com last week, Peter Rousmaniere discussed the fact that employers spend a great deal of money on non-occupational disability insurance and related costs. He indicated that they spend upwards of $10 billion in annual medical and wage replacement costs for these types of injuries and illnesses. He also made a case…
Alcohol, Conferences and a Career Gone in 60 Seconds
I’ve written about this before. Alcohol and conferences sometimes do not mix well. This was proven once more at the recent National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference, held in Las Vegas, NV. “Gone in 60 Seconds” is a phrase that best describes what I witnessed one evening while enjoying libations with friends; because one short…
Waffle House and the Do It Yourself Cooking Plan
I’ve said it before. Thank God for Waffle House. The venerable all night (largely) southern eatery has provided much blog fodder over the years. It is an operation that, largely due to location, culture and operational style, has generated more than its fair share of both humorous and alarming stories. This weekend’s national story was…
Giving Workers What They Really Want
I am nothing if not a gracious and magnanimous boss. I am always looking out for what is in the best interests of those within my employ. For instance, I will make sure their desk chains are unshackled and the bathroom conveniently unlocked when they read this, lest they feel sick to their stomach. I’ll…
SAWCA Industrial Panel Is a Positive Step in Regulator Communication
I will chalk it up as a big leadership win for the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators (SAWCA). The Industrial Panel that drew a standing room only crowd at their recent All Committee Conference was a first of its kind for the industry – at least the first of its kind in collective memory.…
Killing the Regulatory "Gotcha"
Recently I had the honor to once again reprise my role as moderator in a panel entitled “Things That Make Bob Go, Hmmm” at the All Committee Conference of the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators (SAWCA). This was in Hilton Head, SC, and it was the fourth or fifth time they have invited me…
The Jurisdictional Interoperability of Workers' Comp
It has been a while since I’ve updated you on the jurisdictional interoperability of workers’ compensation. Since turkeys are on everyone’s mind this week, I thought that today would be a good day to tackle the topic. And I’m hoping you are still reading at this point, as personally, any article that starts out discussing…