Stress in the Workplace

Now that the Holiday season is over its time to get back into the swing of things. We may have taken some time off to spend with family and friends, forgetting about those stressors at work. But just as every calendar year comes to an end, so do the Holiday’s and it’s time to get back to work. Whether we work at home, in an office or out in the field we will re-encounter those stressors. Stress can affect us in many ways, so it is important we identity them.

Below is a short list of stressors that might occur in your workplace.

Reportable payroll

1. Not being able to identify what the stressors are.

How to report payroll and complete the true-up

2. Continually bringing work home effecting our relationship with family and friends.

3. Spending too much time at work and not giving yourself enough personal time.

4. Poor relationships with coworkers or your supervisor.

5. Not having clear and concise expectations.

In defining payroll, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) generally follows the guidelines of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, as well as the Federal Unemployment Tax Authority (FUTA) in the businesses section.

Examples of reportable payroll

Although employers may contact BWC at (800) OHIO-BWC (800.644.6292) and complete their true-up report over the phone, BWC anticipates high call volumes and long wait times. They strongly encourage employers to complete their true-up report online through their BWC e-account at www.bwc.ohio.gov. If you do not have an e-account, simply select the Create E-Account Link to begin. You will need your BWC policy number and/or Federal Tax Identification Number.

Some of those stressors at work can contribute to physical or mental issues. Physical problems include migraines, high blood pressure, stomach issues, obesity, poor sleep and even a weakened immune system. Mental problems would include anxiety, difficulty concentrating, depression, low morale, poor attitude and lack of self-confidence. In addition, these stressors may affect our eating habits and contribute to alcohol and drug abuse. Either way, identifying these signs of stress is key to dealing with them.

Additional rebates

Regardless of the type of stressors you deal with, let’s look at some tips that may help.

The more common types of reportable payroll include gross hourly wages and gross salaries less qualifying deductions for section 125 cafeteria plan benefits, sick pay and vacation pay, bonus payments, including stock given as a bonus, sales commission and tips. Contact BWC or go to www.bwc.ohio.gov, select For Employers/Compliance/ Reporting Payroll for a complete list of reportable payroll. You may also contact Sedgwick’s Rate Department at (800) 825-6755 with any questions.

Additional rebates are available should an employer utilize their e-account through the BWC’s website. Eligible employers will qualify for a 1 percent Go Green premium rebate (up to $2,000 maximum) by filing electronically. To be eligible for the Go-Green Rebate, you must complete the true-up online and pay any balance at that time as well as opt in to invoice email notifications.

•Track your stressor – It is key to find out which of those stressors are affecting you most. Key an eye on your mental reactions when stressors occur and make note of it. That will help identify them.

True-up process

BWC provides workers’ compensation coverage based on estimated payroll. Therefore at the end of the policy year, BWC asks employers to report their actual payroll for the prior policy year and pay any shortage (or receive a refund for any overage) in premium. This process is called a true-up. If the true-up is not completed timely, the following may occur:

Deadlines

• Work and home balance – Try to create boundaries between work and home. You may want to minimize accessing emails at home or not checking the phone during certain hours. Remember, the world will still exist if you don’t reply to an email or answer the phone. Your home should be a place of relaxation away from work to unwind, use up your vacation days, get a good night’s rest or focus on non-workengaging activities. Recharging gives you the boost to tackle the next day.

• Learn how to relax – Relaxation techniques come in a variety of styles. Maybe you like to exercise, take a walk, read a book, perform yoga or listen to music. There are many relaxation options, so choose what works best for you.

• Employer will not be eligible for prior year rebates and incentives

PRIVATE EMPLOYERS

• True-up report must be completed and payment received no later than August 13, 2021.

• Employer will be removed from current year programs

• Employer will become ineligible for programs the following year and will continue to remain ineligible for all future years until all past true-ups are completed.

PUBLIC EMPLOYERS

• Talk with your supervisor – Having a good relationship with your supervisor makes for a good work environment. Open conversations, project updates and discussing challenging issues will help minimize some of those stressors and build a stronger relationship. This relationship is key to getting the necessary support for success in the workplace.

• True-up report must be completed and payment received no later than February 15, 2022.

Everyone deals with some form of stress whether at home, in the office or out in the field. The key is how we handle those situations. Even though we may never eliminate stress, there are many ways to handle it. The key is to find out which stress reliever (or combination of) works best for you. Remember, the way you handle stress will affect your quality of life at home and at work.

For more information, please contact Sedgwick’s Andy Sawan at 330.819.4728 or andrew.sawan@sedgwick.com