Supervisors Impact on Workers’ Comp Costs Thomas Musselwhite, CIC, CWCP Supervisors have direct responsibility for the day-to-day productivity in the workplace. They also have the unique task of balancing production goals while keeping employees safe. Even with a strong safety program accidents unfortunately happen. When an employee is injured, fear can set in. Fear of… … being fired … lost wages … the claim being denied … reprisal from the supervisor According to the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), attorney involvement is strongly correlated with an employee’s level of trust in the workplace. When a claim ends up in litigation, a benchmark study from Clara Analytics has shown the average costs can increase as much as 388%. In Georgia, the average number of days of disability on a lost time claim increased from seventy-seven (77) days to 199.6 days when an employee retains an attorney. With so much on the line, it is critical to have a process in place that helps supervisors understand their impact. Here are some tips to help train your supervisors: Prevention When you first hire an employee, we recommend a three-prong new-hire safety orientation. The first two prongs involve a new hire safety video and a checklist of safety standards and employee responsibilities. The third prong requires a supervisor safety walk-through. The walk-through increases accountability with the supervisors and creates a relationship that supports ongoing safety training. If supervisors don’t walk the safety talk, the employees won’t either. If the employee doesn’t trust the supervisor prior to an accident, it will be difficult to build trust afterwards. Post-accident If an injury occurs at work, supervisors are usually your first line of communication. Here are four key points that will help your supervisors understand their role if a workplace injury occurs: Observe, Direct, Document, Communicate 1. Observe: Supervisors must make quick observations at the time of an injury to determine the type of treatment required. These initial observations will ensure the injured employee receives proper care in a timely manner. 2. Direct: Since supervisors are on the front line, they often need to direct the employee to the next steps when they are injured. If they are not properly trained, missteps will increase costs. 3. Document: An accident report is a critical part of the work comp process. Supervisors need to understand how to document the injury and any contributing factors. The observations should be added to the ongoing prevention plan. 4. Communicate: Constant communication and positive reinforcement with injured workers will help to improve morale and keep employees motivated to return to work. The supervisor must continue building trust after the injury by showing respect and not pointing fingers. Supervisor communication is also a key component of the return to work (RTW) process. Lack of communication is cited as another leading cost driver. My job as an insurance broker is to help my clients reduce costs. That means educating supervisors so they understand their role. Thomas Musselwhite is a risk and insurance advisor with Sterling Seacrest Pritchard. He is dedicated to helping employers develop risk management solutions that improve safety culture, reduce claims and control insurance costs.
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