Workers Comp Job Finding Blog

Intro to National Job Finders Webinar Slides

<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/companies/national-job-finders?trk=fc_badge" ><img src="http://static01.linkedin.com/scds/common/u/img/webpromo/btn_cofollow_badge.png" alt="National Job Finders on LinkedIn"></a>

I am putting in the slides from our Intro to National Job Finders webinar that has been held many times in the past 4 months. For those of you who are interested, but dont have the time in your crazy schedules, you can view this when it is convenient for you.

Click here to view/download a pdf of the slides.  If you would like to schedule a webinar or go to meeting, please contact me at Katrina@nationaljobfinders.com or call 207-583-6464

Online Job Postings Up 255,000 in December

Well, it is nice to post something positive in 2010 about potential return to work possibilities.  National Job Finders does not use online job postings to find open positions for injured workers, but I watch this as an indicator of hiring overall.  This bodes well for the potential openings we can locate for injured workers with restrictions as well. Afterall, only a very few open positions are actually advertised anywhere, over 80% are not.  

If you would like to look into this information in more detail, please visit the link below to see information on a particular state or industry. I note that Michigan, the state where we do much of our workers compensation job finding is still struggling.  Though the postings are up, they have not caught up with the loss they suffered in Nov.  Despite these discouraging numbers, we have consistently been able to successfully find open, suitable, and acceptable positions for the injured worker cases in Michigan and elsewhere.

Also available at this link is a specific look at the posted jobs in relation to the number of unemployed in that industry.  Here we see that there are more jobs posted than unemployed in the healthcare industry and computer & mathematical science.  In all others, this is not the case.  

The transportation and material moving industry shows the highest ratio of unemployed to open positions at 13 unemployed per posted position.  This is one of the industries from which we see most of our job finding cases.  Others are manufacturing and construction.

 

www.conference-board.org/economics/helpwantedOnline.cfm.

 

 

Employer Has No Return to Work Program, or light duty? No Problem

Sometimes an employer has no return to work program and cannot or will not provide light or modified duty positions for injured workers, or those out on workers compensation. 

You have a few options, it is up to the case manager to determine which is appropriate or effective in each case.

Volunteer or charity jobs- insurer still pays wage-loss benefits
Training programs- insurer still pays wage-loss benefits
Work at home -in many cases not accepted as true "employment".
Employment positions with new employer

Light duty or transitional duty:  Many companies do not have light duty positions available.  Especially companies in Construction, transportation, manufacturing and the like.  Many of these companies do not have office staff employed or an office at all for that matter.

Lets look at each option:

Volunteer or charity work.  
In most cases, it is best for the injured worker and the employer to get them back to work as soon as possible. It helps the injured worker mentally and physically and helps to keep cases from being strung out longer than necessary.  Oftentimes, volunteer or charity work is useful in keeping a worker in the workforce, though oftentimes the employer is still required to pay all or some of the wages for the injured employee.

Training Programs.
Training programs are another viable option for some cases.  If the employee is unable to attain equivalent income in another field with the skills they have, this may be necessary to get them into a position where they can earn at the level they were pre-injury.  For example, a trucker with incomplete high school education that has been doing that one job for 35 years and is now unable to, may be a good candidate for some sort of training.  As, his current skills and education preclude him from many positions.  This is a good option, and voc rehab is mandatory in some states. It is a good way to increase the employability of an injured worker. But, it does cost, and does not guarantee that the person will be better able to find a job. It also does not mean they will use the training to their benefit.  They will still need to aggressively and consistently look for work.  

Work at home.
Recently, I have seen the emergence of companies offering a combination of training to work at home and guaranteed position after training.  This is especially useful if someone has a severe permanent restriction that precludes them from commuting or driving to an office, or place of work.  On the other hand, many work at home positions are not considered true employment. You have to look at these prospects very carefully and make sure that such employment will be viewed as a true position if you go this route. Again, the training for this type of position can obligate the employer to pay for hundreds of hours of training, sometimes almost a year with no relief from indemnity payments (wage loss benefits) and , sometimes the added cost of the training for that same period. Yet, if this person is generally unemployable, this may be your only available course of action, and could save you substantially in the end.

Job Finding (National Job Finders Services)
Re-employment with a new employer ends (or at least immediately reduces) wage-loss or indemnity payments.  Workers Comp claimaints, in most states,  are required to look for and accept employment that is within their restrictions. This is the quickest and most effective way to end wage-loss benefits.  If you can find open positions that are appropriate geographically, financially and physically for injured workers, you can place the claimant or prove non-compliance if they do not participate in the search for new employment.  Usually, 4-5 interviews is enough to prove non-compliance.

Interesting Insurance Journal Article

I just read this article on insurancejournal.com and found it is worth recommending to my readers.

Injury Severity, Not Legal Fees, Drives Workers Comp Costs in Illinois

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2009/12/07/105760.htm

What attracted me to this article is that I was specifically researching the number of injured workers or percentage of employees that are out on workers comp in different industries and in different states. It turns out, those in the industry do not have those numbers readily available. But, I think that it is worth looking into for your own education and future planning.  Especially considering the example shown in this article. 

"For every 100 illinois construction worker there are 1.21 injuries per year."  I also read recently that the average age of a construction worker is 44, up from 40 a few years earlier. This is probably due to the fact that people are staying in the workforce longer, retiring later.  

In addition, at least in illinois, the construction workforce is projected to increase in different sectors anywhere from 10-15 percent in 2010.  So, one would assume, there will be an increase of workers compensation claims that go along with that. 

Construction injuries, according to the insurancejournal are usually extremity injuries or back injuries. From my experience, most of the construction cases we handle are back injuries and/or rotator cuff.  These cases are the most expensive, because they go on for a long time.  Also, they are more difficult to place and require dedication and special attention.   Often, construction companies do not offer light or modified duty because they have no where to place the injured workers.  

This is also true of manufacturing and transportation companies among others.  My suggestions is that you take the time to find out what percentage of your workforce is out of workers compensation to get a handle on how much it is really costing you. 

You may even want to plug it into the free "Sales to pay for Accidents" calculator on reduceyourworkerscomp.com 

http://reduceyourworkerscomp.com/calculator.php

 

referenced article: http://ibjonline.com/print_swillinois_construction_workforce.html

 

I would like to invite people to participate in our poll

 What percentage of your employees are out on workers comp?  

 Please take the time to participate in our poll (survey)  You may be interested in and surprised by the results.

I also invite you to share and comment as well.

http://www.nationaljobfinders.com/poll-question/ or click here

 

The Labor Market Survey The Company Paid For Says There Are No Jobs?

Claims Adjusters,  in Illinois - IL,  Michigan - MI, Louisiana - LA and Pennsylvania - PA  especially,  have been hearing nothing but bad news about potential open positions for their claimants or injured workers on wage loss benefits. I recently had a Case manager tell me they pay for Labor Market surveys that dont help.  A Labor market survey that says there are no jobs is not helping those in the risk management field.   

There are positions available, you just have to get in front of the people that are "In the know" and can connect you to those positions.

Whether you are trying to find open positions for an injured worker with permanent restrictions, your son in-law, neighbor or friend, these tips will apply.

One thing I ALWAYS tell people who are looking for work is to add a Keywords or tag list at the end of their resume.  These are a bunch of keywords or phrases that recruiters and HR professionals may look for when they do resume database searches.  For example, if you are a CNA.  You are more likely to state that throughout your resume in the same format.  But, you may want to include the following phrases in your keyword, tag list.  Certified nurses assistant, C.N.A  , certified nurse, etc.  Different people search in different ways.  Another example, is that you may want to add a list of industries you have experience in.  For example, transportation, logistics.  You want to make sure that you are popping up in front of anyone who is looking for someone with your skill set.  
Because the market is inundated with people looking for work, the HR (Human Resource) professionals are able to look for not only someone with the skill set they require, but also to look for that skill set within the specific industry.  

There is a tendency for HR to search the resume database for appropriate matches BEFORE they ever post the job. This is the quickest and most efficient way for them to find candidates.  So, if you are not getting in front of those searching a resume database, you will never even know about those open positions.

Dont forget to refresh your resume where it is posted for search.  Go in and change something in your resume.  Anything and respost. This could be as simple as changing the words it is to  it's.  Another tip, if you hit control F, you can search for that word or phrase and change it throughout your resume quickly and easily.

Also, get good at doing searches.  You will find that you need to search for the open positions in your field using those same variations of open positions I just mentioned.  Do some searches, use quotes for exact phrases, use various keywords to express the same thing, ie CNA , C .N.A. Also, look for jobs at specific companies you are interested in working for.

The competition can be a great source for finding work.  Oftentimes, HR professionals will do a resume database search for their Competitions former employees.  These prospective applicants are oftentimes the best match for their open positions. You can use that same idea, go to linkedin and search for contacts you can make who currently work for your former competitor.

Also, I read  recently that recruiters and hiring managers prefer chronological resumes. This does not mean you cannot add a section which clearly describes the attributes you have that suit the particular position you are applying for.  This is best done through a cover letter.

Use your Contacts.  Nowadays, everyone has a friend, family member or neighbor that is out of work. This has created an environment where we are all willing to go a little bit farther to help others in their job search.  Quite often, I have a "stranger" , who has been referred by a friend or colleague,  contact me by email about a referral or help with their job search.  I search my contacts through linked in, former peers, or coworkers etc and usually ask them to help or I refer the person .  Dont be afraid to ask for help, you will get it.  And, people right now love to be able to help others in this job crisis.  It makes them feel good too. And, you may run across a job in your job search that is not a match for you personally, but that is the perfect match for someone you know is looking.

How Is The Economy Effecting Workers Comp Claims?

The current economic conditions are having an effect on the entire insurance industry.

Claims are going up. Not just workers comp claims, but all claims.  According to what I have read recently, this includes valid claims and invalid or fraudulent claims.
‘Suspected fraudulent claims related to workers’ compensation insurance were up 71 percent.’ 1 Some employees are filing claims after or pending employer layoffs that they did not file at the time of the injury.  These are often valid claims but were not filed perhaps because the employee was worried about the effect it would have on their employer, or they would rather be working than recuperating while receiving Workers comp benefits.  On the other hand, once an employee is laid off, workers comp benefits are better than unemployment benefits or no income at all.  As I said, many of these claims may be valid claims but may not have been filed under different economic conditions.

Adjusters have a higher number of cases because insurance companies have downsized. Not only do adjusters have a heavier case-load but 40% of their time is spent on administrative duties unrelated to the business of helping move cases towards closure.  Workers' Comp regulations require that this time be spent.  
In a recent interview,John A. Mastropietro said "Insurance companies have downsized in recent years enormously, thereby leaving fewer claims adjusters, who are now handling a greater volume of cases. So there's a tendency to not move on the part of those making decisions."  2

Cases are taking longer because the insurers are trying to cut costs wherever possible, and are therefore taking a harder look at their workers comp claims. This also slows down the process, because cases that would just move along are being fought on both sides.  More claimants and a more rigorous review process instituted by Insurers, which means more work per case with fewer adjusters to do the work.

Lastly, the economy is causing the extension of cases due to the perception that no jobs are available.  Often labor market surveys are conducted that show there are no jobs available for the injured worker or claimant.  So, an expensive and previously useful tool available to the case managers and claims adjusters backfires. 

It is true that jobs are more difficult to come by.  Why? 

Another reason human resource departments are not advertising is due to the overwhelming size of the applicant pool.  Any job that is posted online from executive to laborer is bound to receive hundreds if not thousands of applicants.  This creates a situation very similar to the adjuster’s; more work is created while the staff has been downsized.  This creates a situation I have heard referred to as ‘Paralysis through Analysis’.

Too much paperwork and forms for each applicant.  As a result filling the position is continuously delayed.  Therefore, many human resource managers are looking for alternative ways to locate the proper fit for their open positions.  Personal relationships and peer or other ‘networks’ are often the key to landing an appropriate position in any field.



NICB: Data Links Fraudulent Claims to Poor Economy  
http://www.claimsmag.com/News/2009/4/Pages/Data-Links-Fraudulent-Claims-to-Poor-Economy.aspx

Poor economy doubles workers' comp claims
http://www.greenwichtime.com/localnews/ci_13535467?source=rss

The Future of Workers’ Comp Claim Adjudication  
http://www.claimsmag.com/Exclusives/2009/7/Pages/The-Future-of-Workers-Comp-Claim-Adjudication.aspx

Risk Management In Wage Loss States

The Workers comp law varies so much from state to state it is a daunting task to keep track. I decided to research the differences in workers comp law as they pertain to indemnity expense. I thought I would share my research on risk management in wage loss states.

I hope this will assist those who are new to the Risk management field with cases in wage loss states.

The following states have high wage loss exposure (indemnity payments) after a case has reached MMI. Michigan (MI), Illinois (IL), Pennsylvania (PA), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), New Hampshire(NH) and New York (NY). I will add additional states information as I continue my research.

The following states have no wage loss exposure (indemnity payments) once a case has reached MMI: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey and Tennessee. The State of Florida has "impairment benefits" but no wage loss payments. These payments are determined based on the injury, and continue for a specified amount of time. They are not effected by re-employment of the injured worker in any way. The Injured worker receives the same impairment benefit, whether they are working or not.

Some states have wage loss exposure limited by the rating of the permanent disability or the percentage of disability. Most of these charts are available on each states Workers Comp Board website. A list of these boards by state can be found here:

http://www.ic.nc.gov/ncic/pages/wcadmdir.htm#al

For example: In DC, the length of time an injured worker can receive indemnity payments is based on the injury and a formula determines the benefit. In Michigan, there is no time limit on indemnity payments for permanent partial disability. In New Hampshire the limit is 262 weeks (which includes the weeks the injured worker was considered temporarily disabled.) In Maine and Louisiana the limit is 10 years or 520 weeks. In New York Permanent Partial Disability cases are eligible for indemnity payment to continue depending on injury from a minimum of 225 weeks to a maximum of 525 weeks. Pennsylvania has a limit of 500 weeks for Permanent Partial Disability indemnity payments.

In states where there is a continuance of indemnity, or wage loss, payments required from the Employer or Insurer, there is also the obligation on the part of the injured worker to actively pursue re-employment and/or to make an effort to obtain work. When an injured worker returns to work, depending on the pay variance, the employer may be obligated to continue to make up the difference between the original wage earned when the employee was injured and the new wage. This also varies by state. But, the insurer can apply to the Workers Comp board to discontinue payments if they determine that the Injured worker is not actively pursuing re-employment.

Workers Compensation Job Finding Services

Why Use a Job Finding Service for your Workers compensation and auto wage-loss benefits cases?

Job Finding will allow you to quickly and efficiently reduce your workers' comp costs by reducing your indemnity expenses.

Job Finding is specifically designed to locate positions for the Permanent Partially Disabled case file.

Case managers are generally working on a caseload of 100-150 files at any time.

Because most of us only have 40 hours a week to work, it is natural , even appropriate for those case managers to devote their time to files where they can make some headway.

Job Finding is not necessarily appropriate for all workers' comp Permanent Partial Disability cases.

Job Finding is appropriate when the case has challenges whether they are geographical, physical or financial.

For example, cases submitted for job finding service are generally dealing with Carpal Tunnel, lower back soft tissue damage, or rotator cuff injuries.

Furthermore, Job finding services are very often used to find appropriate positions for construction, transportation, shipping and other physical, relatively high-paying positions.

Also, Job Finding services are most often used in states that have Wage Loss exposure after a case has reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)

Going back to the case load of your average case manager.

If a case manager has 100-150 active files, they often have up to 30% of cases that are very difficult to advance to the next level or make any headway on. For this reason, these files can go on far longer than they need to.

Because the Job finding cases require an average of over 20 dedicated hours per successfully scheduled interview and it takes an average of 4.5 interviews per case to successfully close the case, it is certainly challenging for a case manager to include this in their daily or weekly routine.

Obviously, dedicating all their time to that 30% is an ineffective use of a case manager's time.

Job Finders are specialists. They have an established network of contacts and employers. Also, they are rigorous and will cold-call employers in appropriate geograhical and industry specific areas until they find the unlisted, hidden positions suitable to each case.

Job Finders take excessive notes and keep a record of everything from the initial pre-interview session with HR personnel, to the interview results and follow-up.

Job Finding is appropriate for those 30% of cases, in any state where the insurer has wage loss exposure after MMI . In other words, it is most appropriate for Permanent Partial Disability cases.

CONSIDER: A Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) case in Michigan costs an average of 72,000.00 PER CASE between months 13-36. These are cases that have ALREADY been active for 12 months. If case managers waited 12 months before sending a case to a Job Finder they would still save an average of 65,000.00 per case. Certainly, it is better to put your PPD cases into the hands of a Job Finding service as soon after they have reached MMI as possible. The sooner the better.

Some Frightening Workers Comp Statistics

Did you know?

The median incurred benefits cost for workers compensation cases exceeding 7 days is $31,161.00, not including reserve requirements.

Did you know?
The Difference in Average costs from 12 month marker to 36 months could result in an Average savings of $72,908 dollars per case (Michigan Sample)

Did you know?
The benefit delivery expenses increased on average 7.8% from 2006-2007 and are continuing to go up.

Did you know?
Permanent partial disability cases account for an average of 18.6% of workers compensation cases and 46% of cases over cases over 7 days.

Did you know?
The average total cost per claim on cases greater than 7 days increased 4.8% from 2006-2007.

Did you know?
We can positively affect your bottom line by decreasing the time and money spent on your most expensive MMI/PPD workers compensation cases.

Did you know?
In addition to our team of professional job researchers and case managers, we have developed relationships with employers, human resource professionals and other job placement experts over several decades, giving us an inside track to find open positions for your PPD cases that will fit their financial requirements and physical limitations.

Did you know?
We help close cases in an average of 8-12 weeks.

How much can we save you?