16 Best Practices for Supervisors – Post Injury Workers Comp Cost Control Program requires Supervisor Involvement Before, During and After an Accident. Supervisors must be an integral part of the workers comp cost control process. Bring them into the loop early and often.
Supervisors in your company must be prepared for the occasional workplace injury. It is important to post company expectations for proper workers’ compensation cost containment. As the employer, you must describe accurately the relative cost of workers’ compensation and the importance of this program to the company.
Supervisors need to know and communicate, clearly and accurately, three things:
First: The company’s policy regarding workplace injuries
Second: What to do when an injury occurs
Third: Post-Injury communication with injured workers
In the Company Policy
1. Describe how to accompany the employee to the medical department
2. Be familiar with the information on the wallet cards
3. Know what do ask during the post-injury interview
4. Describe what to say during the first-day phone call
5. Describe what to say during the weekly meeting
6. Answer simple questions about the workers’ compensation system to the injured employee and know which ones must be referred to the medical department. (workersxzcompxzkit)
7. Be able to discuss the post-injury process with employees in general terms they will know what to expect.
Inform the employee at the time of the injury:
8. They will receive a red information packet at the medical department
9. The medical department will answer their questions
10. The injured will receive excellent medical care
11. The employee will return to work as soon as medically able
Post-Injury tell injured workers:
12. About the company’s transitional duty policy
13. Explain what the transitional duty policy includes
14. Provide assistance to the medical department in structuring transitional duty jobs
15. Monitor the employee’s activities during this duty and recognize fraud
16. Accurately document all communications with the employee
Author Robert Elliott
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-786-8286.
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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance agent or broker about workers’ comp insurance issues.
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