This will not be a new idea from me, but after proposing it at numerous presentations around the country over the last three years, I know it is an idea that bears repeating. It is a concept that has been universally well received by audiences and blog readers alike, and it serves as a pivot…
Workplace Bullies To Get Next Week Off
An article run Wednesday here in the CompNewsNetwork caught my eye, as it referenced a topic on which I have opined in the past – Workplace Bullying. For the record, I do not support Workplace Bullying, or by extension individual workplace bullies. However, my stance on the situation overall likely lands me somewhere in the…
DOL Report Cites Workers' Comp Summit; Is the National Conversation Working?
Last week, US Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and a team of analysts and economists released the highly anticipated report on workers’ compensation, entitled “Does The Workers’ Compensation System Fulfill its Obligations To Injured Workers?” I can save you a ton of reading here by providing the direct answer. According to the DOL, it is “no”.…
As Comp Laude Deadlines Approach, This Program is Worth Your Time
Both the early bird registration window and hotel room block are about to close for the 5th Annual Comp Laude Awards & Gala, scheduled for November 4th & 5th in Burbank, CA. The price goes up and the guaranteed room rate goes away after this Friday, October 14, 2016. I urge all interested parties to…
Florida Workers’ Comp Rates Force Increase in Blog Cost
Well, it is official. As reported here and elsewhere, workers’ compensation rates in Florida, where my company is based, are set to rise 14.5% on December 1, 2016. This is largely the result of two court decisions, which were largely the result of some really shortsighted legislative decisions, which were largely the result of greedy…
And the Industry Waits….
Midday Wednesday there will be two reports released concerning workers’ compensation. One is from the US Department of Labor, the other from the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI). The concept of a simultaneous release of reports is not unknown to our industry. After all, ProPublica and OSHA “simultaneously” launched negative reports on us last…
Notes From Florida Workers' Compensation Summit (National Conversation) Released
I will be the first to tell you that those of us engaged in coordinating the Workers’ Compensation Summit have been completely overwhelmed the past couple months. The Summit, if you are unaware, is the ongoing effort driving the “National Conversation” for the workers’ compensation industry, looking to identify weaknesses and promote positive change for…
New Reports in October: Are the Feds Positioning to Oversee Workers’ Comp?
There has been a lot of speculation in our industry about the Federal Government’s appetite for intervening in the world of workers’ compensation. While most pundits and many influential professionals have steadfastly maintained that it will “never happen”, I have been the contrarian voice on the matter. I have postulated that the Federal government could…
Hypocrisy Alert – Union Fights Unionization of Union Organizers
I love a good conundrum, especially when it highlights sheer hypocrisy. Most people are aware of the ongoing protests this past year regarding the “Fight for $15” movement. Fast food restaurants and big box retailers have been targeted during these protests, allegedly showing their employees fighting for “living wage” of $15 per hour. I have…
When Health Insurance Gives You the Florida Blues
I’ve been dealing with an issue this past couple weeks here in Florida that might just give a small taste of the frustration an injured worker feels when an important medical procedure is denied by the insurance carrier responsible for their claim. The irritation is centered around two distinct areas; a denial with which they…