Is Workers’ Compensation One of the Largest Line Items in your Budget?
Does reading this headline make your blood pressure increase a little and cause your head to start building pressure from an oncoming stress headache? Especially when this article from lawyers.com states that claims for the average back injury cost a business $23,600? It also goes on to mention that the average claim for workers’ compensation is $21,800. These are financially burdensome checks to write as a business owner of any size business. There is a better way; one that costs a lot less and can produce a positive ROI.
Pre-placement or post-offer testing is one of the most revolutionary, yet practical protocols a business can put into practice when it comes to hiring the right person for the job. You never know if the person you are hiring injured their right shoulder playing softball and never disclosed the injury. What if you did not test the employee before hiring, and he or she re-injures this same shoulder on the job? You are likely not only to pay for the injury sustained on the clock but also any unreported damage sustained before the employee accepted your employment offer. This same scenario could occur for a person who has injured his or her back at a prior job and received workers' compensation payment for that injury in the past. What recourse would you have to prove you are not liable to pay for the previous injuries if you haven't had them adequately tested?
The Physical Capacity Profile (PCP) tests your applicants through valid measures. Each test is rated by a computer system that details the applicant's physical strengths and weaknesses. No part of the testing process is assessed by a human being other than the ability for the person to do sit-ups, which is solely a yes (and how many) or a no. Other systems across the country rely on subjective administrators to determine how a person performs a task. The test facilitator observes and presents pass or fail marks for the candidate’s movements. There are no numbers to compare. There is no validity or standards to which to compare results. Are the test results based on data or personal opinion? You decide which one you want backing you if a claim occurs.
When your applicant has finished PCP testing, he or she will be given an overall score that you can then compare to the Department of Labor Dictionary Titles allowing you to determine if this potential employee is fit for the job to which he or she has applied. Simply put, secure placement produces more productive and safe employees.
Once hired, if an employee does get injured, you have post-offer test results that comply with ADA and EEOC regulations to compare their prior abilities to their post-rehabilitation abilities. This safeguard makes rehabilitation time and workers’ compensation payouts fair for both the employer and employee.
If one of your largest line items for expenses is for workers’ compensations claims, you can do something about it. Click here to learn how to avoid a $100,000 hiring mistake or visit our website for more information about our cost-saving solutions.
If you're ready to start reducing your workers' compensation costs, contact us today to speak to one of our experts. We will take the time to listen to your needs, hear what your expectations are, and help you build a solution that will protect your bottom line. Reduction of injuries and total claim dollars spent are how we measure mutual success. We look forward to helping your business achieve higher levels of financial rewards.
