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Insurance

Gov’t employees must use workers’ comp — not courts — to handle injury cases

10/03/2008

Good news for public employers: The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has clarified that government employees cannot do an end-run around the workers’ comp system by trying to call their injuries a Constitutional deprivation of due process and suing in federal court …

Don’t forget service when choosing workers’ comp carrier

10/03/2008

HR pros should look at more than price when they’re shopping for a workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Here’s a checklist to cover with your insurance broker before selecting a carrier …

Employees climb mountains to improve their health

10/03/2008

Employees of Lincoln Industries will climb any mountain to improve their health. Seventy-four employees of the Lincoln, Neb.-based, steel-finishing firm climbed a 14,000-foot peak in Colorado as part of the firm’s wellness program.

Va. firm still pays full premiums for employees and their families

10/03/2008

Employees of McDonough Bolyard Peck in Fairfax, Va., have never paid health or life insurance premiums or deductibles. The 18-year-old consulting firm pays 100% of the premiums for team members and their families …

New site helps small businesses set up HSAs

10/03/2008

If you’re unable to provide your employees with health insurance, you can still help them cover their medical bills by offering Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). A new government web site walks small business owners through the benefits and set-up process.

DOL offers help to employees who are disaster victims

10/03/2008

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has resources for your employees who live in areas devastated by floods, fires or other disasters. Employees in flooded areas can call (866) 487-2365 for information about unemployment benefits, federal One-Stop Career Centers, wages and safety issues …

The cure for workers’ comp fraud: daily injury logs

10/01/2008

Employees who hurt themselves at work sometimes wait weeks or even months before filing a workers’ compensation claim. What at first seems like a relatively harmless injury can flare into a debilitating condition months later. Such late claims put business owners at a serious disadvantage.

Can ‘kiddie wellness’ programs cut your health costs?

09/25/2008

HR professionals do a lot of hand-wringing over how to cut health care costs. But one aspect often remains overlooked: the health of employees’ children. Here are five tips for including kids in wellness programs …

Trouble in the air: The legal ailments of sick-building syndrome

09/24/2008

Although it may seem like the far-fetched excuse of an employee hoping to take a few days off from work, a condition known as “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is real. Some employees suffering from SBS have brought claims under the ADA. Others have sought recovery under state workers’ compensation laws …

What should we do if we suspect an employee is abusing workers’ comp?

09/24/2008

Q. How far can we go to make sure employees aren’t taking advantage of our company while they’re out on workers’ comp leave? Can we, for example, call them at home to make sure they are resting and not out working another job or otherwise abusing the system? …