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A recent
study showed that workplace accidents can be prevented and managed and that employers can
do things that positively affect their workers’ compensation experience. Successful
companies can have lower workers’ compensation costs, a more satisfied work force,
increased productivity, and ultimately, higher profits. The study showed that
differences between good and bad outcomes related to three common factors:
prevention of work related accidents,
managerial style and culture of the organization, and
policies for prevention and management of disability.
This reinforces the idea of a company disability prevention and management approach
that includes accident prevention, a positive work climate, injury management, claims
management, and return -to-work policies.
Employers who are most likely to have a lower frequency of workers’ compensation
claims are the same ones who most frequently encourage safety practices and hazard
prevention, who have an open managerial style and a company climate that shares in
information and decision making, and who make the greatest effort to manage worker
accidents.
Successful companies see safety and disability
management as integral parts of quality, productivity, and financial stability. These
companies use data to measure employee performance, identify problems, guide actions, to
motivate support and participation of management, supervisors, and front-line employees.
Successful companies investigate injuries and show their commitment by immediately
responding to identified risks. They develop working relationships with their employees to
ensure effective injury management and also maintain an active role in case management.
Employers can be more competitive by giving serious attention to the safety and health
of their workers. Careful attention to employee safety and health is the correct and
cost-effective thing to do. The potential competitive edge is significant in an economy
that is becoming more and more global in nature, where the competition is greater and the
differences between companies products and services are smaller. |
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Profile of Suspicious Workers' Compensation Loss