I’ve probably been doing this too long, but I suppose it is human nature to compare personal events to hypothetical situations within your professional life. Many years ago, in “another life”, as they say, I worked extensively in the food service and hospitality industry. My parents bought a motel, restaurant and lounge when I was…
When Violation of Trust Hurts Injured Workers the Most
We were exhibiting at a conference years ago when I encountered a doctor who provided a truly enlightening moment for me. He was an older gentleman, old enough to have safely assumed he could be retired. He was not; but he no longer maintained a practice with regular patients. Instead, he focused solely on Independent…
Merry Happy Happy Chrishannakwanadan – 2017
Bob has posted this holiday message every year since it was originally published on 12/23/2011. This year the atmosphere of “political correctness” continues to evolve in the post 2016 election period, and the phrase “Merry Christmas” once again seems to be an acceptable part of the country’s vernacular. However, different cultures and beliefs need to…
Bob's 2017 Predictions – How Did I Fare?
In the first week of January 2017, I boldly laid forth within the pages of this blog a work of tremendous consequence. It was the issuance of my (occasionally) annual ritual of predictions and prognostications for the coming year. At that point in time, it was the most widely read Cluttered Desk piece for the…
When TSA Catches Your Dumbass Idiot Mistake
I have spent a good deal of time in this blog writing about and making fun of other people’s idiotic actions and dumbass mistakes. In fact, you might say I have built a reputation around highlighting both absurdity and ignorance. Therefore, it is only fair that, when I do something that is colossally ill-advised, inappropriate…
Unethical Behavior and Misaligned Incentives Are a Great Hot Seat Topic
We announced a couple weeks ago that our new webinar series, “The Hot Seat,” would return with its second episode on January 5, 2018. The title for this second webinar is “Violating Trust: Ethical Conundrums in Workers’ Compensation.” The guests that will be joining co-host Judge David Langham and me will be attorneys Robert Rassp…
Non-Occupational Injuries, Integrated Care and Misaligned Incentives
In his column on WorkersCompensation.com last week, Peter Rousmaniere discussed the fact that employers spend a great deal of money on non-occupational disability insurance and related costs. He indicated that they spend upwards of $10 billion in annual medical and wage replacement costs for these types of injuries and illnesses. He also made a case…
Alcohol, Conferences and a Career Gone in 60 Seconds
I’ve written about this before. Alcohol and conferences sometimes do not mix well. This was proven once more at the recent National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference, held in Las Vegas, NV. “Gone in 60 Seconds” is a phrase that best describes what I witnessed one evening while enjoying libations with friends; because one short…
Waffle House and the Do It Yourself Cooking Plan
I’ve said it before. Thank God for Waffle House. The venerable all night (largely) southern eatery has provided much blog fodder over the years. It is an operation that, largely due to location, culture and operational style, has generated more than its fair share of both humorous and alarming stories. This weekend’s national story was…