From Bob's Cluttered Desk

October 10th was Mental Health Day and I completely missed it. I am so bummed. I didn’t even get the decorations out in time this year. It’s ok, though. We’re in workers’ comp, and mental health is something we routinely overlook. Nancy Grover wrote a great article last week regarding Mental Health Day and the impact…

First came the explosion that rocked a quiet neighborhood. Firefighters were called, who arrived to find a structure fully engulfed in flames. It was only after the fire was extinguished that they discovered an inhabitant in the structure who had perished in the fire. They didn’t have to look far; the structure, after all, was…

You may have seen the graphics that have been adorning the end of just about every news or blog article on this site for the past couple months. From Bobs’ Cluttered Desk is approaching another milestone, and since it will be happening during our 20-year anniversary celebration, we thought we’d have a little fun with…

In the month of October, we have the opportunity to recognize people who have made a difference in our lives while at the same time raising money for Kids’ Chance of America. The LinkedIn October Challenge, or “Inspiration Ripple,” is being spearheaded by Claire Muselman of Continental Western Group and sponsored by Franco Signor.  The…

This event happened in Louisiana a couple weeks ago, but due to travel and this week’s dedication to Comp Laude® stories we never got around to it. Maybe it was better that way. It might have been good if we skipped it altogether, but I just can’t help myself. There is absolutely nothing right about this…

It was one of the most compelling observations at the recent Comp Laude® Awards program held in California last week. Part of the event involves recognizing people who have been severely injured on the job but have managed to overcome these challenges to regain control and momentum in their lives. You may have some familiarity…

There is one thing that really needs to be said about the Comp Laude® Awards and Gala. While it is produced by workcompcentral, it is a success because of the many people who volunteer to toil behind the scenes. It truly is an industry driven endeavor. In case you have been under a rock or…

This past Thursday I spoke at the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network Annual Seminar in Chicago. The presentation topic, “The Ethical Challenges of Anti-Engagement,” discussed, among other things, three types of injured workers that we see within the workers’ compensation industry. Those categories were The Advocate, The Adversary and The Addled. While stressing that not…

I attended the Comp Laude® Awards last week where, as you may have already read, I was honored with the Industry Leader Award for 2019. The Comp Laude® Awards program was started by the late David Depaolo, founder of workcompcentral. It was intended to help change the narrative around workers’ compensation, and to recognize and honor the…

As an employer, you have a legal as well as moral obligation to make sure that the people working for your benefit do so in as “safe and healthful” an environment as possible. When bosses routinely and intentionally ignore that principle, people get hurt. And sometimes they die. And there is evidence that the threat…