The Five Stages of Grief are based on a theory developed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross that suggests people go through five distinct stages of grief after the loss of a loved one. The five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually, acceptance. While the theory was based around the loss of someone close to you, it…
Kids’ Chance, The Minister, and Those Things That Are Left Undone
Bob Clyatt, the man who started Kids’ Chance in Valdosta, GA back in 1988, can tell a compelling story. He told the audience at last week’s National Kids’ Chance Conference in Charlotte about the challenges they faced starting the organization and the fact that it almost didn’t happen at all. And his story was a…
Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Many readers will by now know that last week we announced the planned departure from my current position here at WorkersCompensation.com. The outpouring of comments and support has been overwhelming. Many people have wished me well via text, email, telephone, LinkedIn, and Facebook. I was traveling last week (and this one as well, actually) and…
The Impossibility of Fixing Stupid
Comedian Ron White has made a career out of telling people, “You can’t fix stupid.” And it seems that some people are destined to prove his point every single day. I found and shared a photo on Facebook the other day that certainly drives that point home. Rather than describe it for you, I can…
For Employer, That’s One Expensive Birthday Party
As a result of a lawsuit, a Kentucky employer must pay $450,000 to a former employee after throwing him a surprise birthday party. The man, who suffers from panic attacks, had apparently asked his employer not to throw him a surprise birthday party. It was evidently their normal practice for employees. It appears the company, Gravity…
Post-Pandemic Actuarial Cornhole, and Other Useful Return To The Office Tricks
As the Covid pandemic continues its wind down (except for in airports and airplanes where we will apparently remain permanently masked) some companies are now looking at clearing the cobwebs in the office and returning the workforce to their respective cubicles. While many businesses, including mine, have gone virtual, some simply function better when everyone…
Will California Workers’ Comp Go “Woke” With Wage Disparity Benefits?
A bill currently before the California legislature would require that workers’ compensation in the state “increase the payment of disability benefits by the percentage of disparity in earnings between genders.” What does this mean? Probably that more companies will be moving to Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. But it also means that, if signed into law,…
On Taking the Lockton 2022 Workers’ Compensation Survey
The 2022 Lockton Workers’ Compensation Survey is currently underway, and workers’ comp professionals are strongly encouraged to participate. Doing so helps all of us better understand trends and challenges in the industry. This survey will also help pinpoint topics and issues to be included in the agenda for the 2022 Complex Risk Symposium. Survey participants will receive…
Preserving Elementary Elucidations Immediately Upon Interfacing Amidst Impaired Personages
It is often said that words mean things. I’ve actually written that here on the digital pages of my blog, so it must be true. Clear, concise, communication can help overcome hurdles when dealing with challenging issues. Yet, in workers’ compensation, an industry that certainly sees its fair share of hurdles, the art of simple…
A Farewell Fifty Years in The Making, Honoring Vickie Kennedy
I attended a virtual ceremony yesterday honoring Vickie Kennedy, Assistant Director of Insurance Services at Washington Labor & Industries. Vickie retires from the agency tomorrow, after a scant 50 years of service to the agency. Vickie started with the agency in 1971. She advanced through a variety of positions and became Assistant Director of Insurance…