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Dec 07 2023
Drug and AlcoholQ&AWorkers’ Comp

Q&A: Manage Washington Workers’ Comp After Positive Drug Test

Question: We had an employee hurt themselves in a forklift accident and test positive in a post-accident drug test carried out based on our policy. If we terminate them, will they still get workers’ compensation benefits? Answer: Yes, we would expect them to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits such as time loss (wage replacement benefits). As…

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Dec 04 2023
Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp

Prioritizing Employee Safety Amidst Seasonal Challenges ❄️

The holiday season is a time of celebration, joy, and relaxation, and for many it can also bring challenges and stress due to increased workloads, overtime commitments, and financial pressures. In the midst of these demands, prioritizing the well-being of our valued employees is crucial. Rather than being discouraged by statistics indicating a surge in…

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Oct 23 2023
Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp

Ask the Safety Expert: Prevent injuries like a top performer

As Vigilant’s safety manager, I have an opportunity to work with hundreds of manufacturers in industries ranging from steel fabrication to wood products to food processing and agriculture. All of them share a strong commitment to workplace safety. The top performers elevate this commitment by investing in a culture of safety and constantly setting new…

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Oct 05 2023
Wage and HourWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I’s Stay at Work program, are you using it?

Did you know the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will partially reimburse you for wages paid to an injured worker who has returned to a medically approved light/modified duty job? L&I’s Stay at Work program offers employers an incentive to get injured workers back to work before they’re fully released. Stay at Work…

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Oct 05 2023
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Claims ‘Monitoring’ vs. ‘Management’: Which is best for your company?

As an employer, navigating complex claims on your own can be exceedingly overwhelming and time-consuming, which is why the prospect of having a partner to “manage your claims” can come as quite a relief. However, it begs the question: what does “claims management” truly entail? And if your partner is more of the “claims monitoring”…

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Sep 01 2023
Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp

Fall Must-Haves: Preventing Injuries & Pumpkin Spice

Enjoying the fall season in the Northwest can be a delightful experience—stunning foliage, crisp air, and various seasonal activities. It’s the perfect time of year to not only check-in on our cozy attire and engage in fun festivities but also consider how the seasonal transition affects workplace conditions so you can proactively prevent workplace injuries….

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Aug 18 2023
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Top 3 complaints from Retro groups participants

When it comes to manufacturing Retro groups in Washington, employers have several to consider. They differ, often significantly, in terms of their service offerings and what they require of their members. While we typically focus on the positive aspects and numerous benefits of these programs, it’s important to acknowledge common concerns expressed by Retro participants…

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Aug 10 2023
Safety and HealthTermination & ResignationWashington

Q&A: Light duty may not stop time loss exposure

Question: We had to terminate an employee who was working in a light duty position following his on-the-job injury. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) awarded him time loss benefits, but we don’t understand why. Since he was working a light duty position when his job ended, shouldn’t that stop time loss exposure?…

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Aug 10 2023
DisabilityHiringWorkers’ Comp

Q&A: Make preemployment physicals useful and ADA-compliant

Question: We’re considering a preemployment physical process. What do we need to know to make sure we do things right? Answer: Glad you asked! Preemployment (post-offer) physicals are typically considered by employers who want to ensure candidates can perform the physical requirements of their job safely. In practice, we often see processes that begin with…

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Jul 11 2023
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Learning from past workers’ comp claims – why it’s so important

We all know about claims from the past that linger, causing costs to rise for years. It’s easy to get in the habit of overthinking the numerous scenarios where things could have gone differently. But it’s far more valuable to extract the lessons learned from these claims, and use them to inform future strategies. This…

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Jun 01 2023
Leave LawsWorkers’ Comp

DOL clarifies FMLA intermittent leave calculation during holidays

On May 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Wage and Hour Division published an opinion letter clarifying how holidays affect the calculation of intermittent leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (Opinion Letter FMLA2023-2-A). The FMLA regulations at 29 CFR 825.200(h) already explain that: (1) if a holiday occurs during…

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May 23 2023
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Working with L&I: How to ensure good claims outcomes

It’s probably safe to say, in business a partner relationship is preferred over an adversarial one. There are low levels of trust in the latter, not to mention stress for both parties and lack of team effort to get the job done quickly and with good results. So, in the instance of workers’ compensation claims…

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