Fitting the Pieces Together: Return to Work, ADA, and Reasonable Accommodations
As any employer knows, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) creates an obligation for covered employers to provide eligible employees with disabilities reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform the essential functions of their jobs. The difficulty with this obligation for many employers lies in understanding exactly what their responsibilities are in terms of accommodation. […]
Going the Distance for ADA Accommodations: How Far is Too Far?
Does the term “reasonable accommodation” give you pause? If so, you aren’t alone. Many employers, uncertain of their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hesitate to use pre-hire testing, forgoing its benefits in reducing bad hires and workplace injuries in an effort to reduce risk of becoming entangled in the accommodation process. After all, “reasonable” […]
The Power of Pedometers: Step Your Way to a Healthier Workplace
Are you using pedometers as part of your workplace wellness program? If not, you probably should be. When used properly, these simple little devices have been shown to be associated with significant improvements in the health of workers. According to research published by JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), the use of a pedometer […]
Repeat Offenders: 10 of OSHA’s Most Frequently Cited Standards
If you, like most employers, put a great deal of time and effort into workplace safety to protect your workers, knowing where the most common risks lie is important. A quick review of 10 OSHA standards for which employers are most frequently cited will give you an idea of hazards that merit special attention in […]
3 Ways to Protect Your Trucking Fleet from Workers’ Comp Fraud
Controlling workers’ compensation costs is an ongoing challenge for businesses today, and trucking companies are no exception. Protecting your trucking fleet against workers’ comp fraud is an important part of that effort. Just how much of a problem is workers’ comp fraud? According to industry experts, a very significant one, with worker’s comp ranked among […]
What Determines Return to Work?: MD Assessment vs. PAT
Traditionally, return to work decisions after an injury or illness have been made by treating physicians. The question is: “What information do physicians typically use to make these decisions?” My observations over the years have lead me to believe that, most of the time, physicians are depending on medical data or information – such as […]
How to Reduce Workers’ Comp Costs for Physically Demanding Jobs
Controlling workers’ comp costs is a major concern for virtually all employers today, with just the medical costs associated with the average claim creeping towards $30,000 and projected to exceed that figure within the next several years. However, for employers who operate in industries that place heavier than average physical demands on workers, those costs […]
Laying Down the Law: EEOC and ADA Expectations for Return to Work
No employer wants to get on the wrong side of the EEOC and ADA, given the potential legal and financial consequences of running afoul of employment regulations. However, compliance is not always easy to define given the ambiguity present in some areas of these regulations. Expectations for return to work, for instance, are an area […]
Pre-Employment Physical Abilities Testing: The Devil’s in the Details
A Pre-hire Physical Ability Test (PAT) program works to ensure that workers you hire are well-matched in terms of physical capabilities to the everyday demands of the jobs into which they will be placed. The testing adds a new element of accuracy to the hiring process, reducing bad hires and employee turnover. PAT also increases […]
Caught in the Grip of Repetitive Trauma Injuries
Many employers struggle with repetitive trauma injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow – along with their close cousins, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. Although the causes of these conditions are often multifactorial, occurring on – as well off – the job, some work-related activities are thought to contribute. Gauging Applicants’ Grip Strength High on the list of likely […]
