Controlling Worker's Compensation Claims
One way to impact your profitability is to control what you can when it comes to Workers’ Compensation claims that come right off your bottom line. Not everything is in your control, because ultimately the safety of your worker depends on your customer. However, there are steps you can take to protect your workers and your firm.
1. Have Worker’s Compensation insurance.
Because you are considered the primary employer of your temporary employee, it is your Workers’ Compensation insurance policy that will cover the claim.
2. Training and preparation.
While the bulk of the safety training will be in the hands of your customer, you may provide general safety and health training, and host employers provide specific training tailored to the particular workplace equipment/hazards. This is also a recruiting tool because it tells candidates that you’re on top of it and that you want them to work.
3. Have a process.
When a Workers’ Compensation claim is filed, have a process for reporting and follow through. Staffing firms should aggressively monitor and manage open claims and institute measures to minimize future claims. This can include timely reporting to insurance, ongoing communication with claimant and insurance adjuster, and putting the claimant back to work in a different capacity.