Editor’s Note: Sometime’s it is diificult to see the level of effort that goes into writing an article or blog post. We should note that Bob worked very hard on this article, and despite suffering what is widely known as “writer’s block,” managed to push through the pain. Many will likely label this his best…
California’s AB5 is Just the Beginning of a Larger Struggle
Our Nancy Grover reports this morning that the California Senate is preparing to vote on the controversial legislation AB5, and that the bill now has the governors support. AB5 is designed to essentially codify last year’s Dynamex decision, where the California Supreme Court dramatically limited the definition and acceptable use of independent contractors. While many assume this…
The Unborn Victims of Workplace Tragedy
I received a question earlier this week via email that represented a profound reality for the workers’ compensation industry. It was related to Kids’ Chance, the organization that provides scholarships and education opportunities to children of a parent who has been seriously injured or killed on the job. The question came from one of the…
Miracle Medical Men
I must begin this missive with a warning. Sometimes companies or organizations see fit to share my articles via their internal newsletters or other communication systems. While I am flattered that they would do so, I occasionally hear from some of those organizations after one or more of their members or employees end up offended…
Impaired and Invisible
I spent part of this weekend doing repair projects around the house. When we get knee deep into these tasks, it is easier to drive to one of several fast food restaurants nearby to grab lunch for my wife and me than it is to stop and prepare something at home. In fact, these weekend…
On the Hot Seat in September, Adversarial Workers' Compensation Systems
We just opened registration for the 10th episode of our webinar series, The Hot Seat. This one, as previous Hot Seat webinars this year, will focus on a topic identified as an “Imperative Issue” at the 2016 Workers Comp Summit meetings, also known as the National Conversation. This time we will be discussing adversarial workers’ compensation…
What Irritates You in the Office?
We just came across a survey that was conducted of 1,000 people last year that disclosed what the top ten irritants tend to be for people in the workplace. It turns out that the primary irritant for people on the job is other people on the job. Beyond that, it broke down in the following manner…
In Misguided Subrogation Conversation, Outcomes Are What Matters
An item crossed the Cluttered Desk last week that provided a terrific example of the oft misguided focus that we see in the workers’ compensation industry. It is a distraction that can waste our time, cost us money, and, worst of all, further harm already injured workers. It started with a court challenge and then…
Epic Axe Throwing and Other Dubious Conference Activities
I’m just back from the 74th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference produced by the Workers’ Compensation Institute. Held every year in Orlando, FL, it is without a doubt the biggest conference of the year. How big is it? Almost nine thousand people flock to the Orlando World Center Marriott, a 2,100-room hotel with a mammoth conference…
At WCI? Don’t Forget the Kids' Chance Volunteer Reception
It is that time of year again, where the great throng of workers’ compensation professionals converge on Orlando for days of meetings, sessions, and just a bit more than their fair share of fun. This is the 74thAnnual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, produced by the Workers’ Compensation Institute. Thousands of people from “coast to coast”…