Coronavirus (COVID-19): Helpful Workers’ Compensation Resources
Jump to: Worker safety & return to work – HR resources – FAQs – Resources
The spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the globe has us all concerned, particularly in the area of workers’ compensation. Employers, just like you, are currently confronting difficult questions regarding how to handle safety and health, leave and accommodation, claims and other employment issues.
To assist you, we’ve gathered information on this resource page to help you prepare for this spreading virus.
Coronavirus work comp communications
Rest assured we’ve been monitoring the COVID-19 situation carefully and have taken careful measures to ensure our team continues to be available for you, even as business conditions change. We have experts distributed across time zones, ensuring there is no single point of failure in our ability to serve you. Also, our Team Members are set up to work remotely – you’ll experience no disruption in workers’ compensation coverage and support during this extended period of time.
- 5/26/2020 – Email to Policyholders regarding HR OnDemand Webinar and Resources
- 4/09/2020 – Email to Policyholders regarding Department of Labor Bulletin
- 3/25/2020 – Email to Policyholders regarding Free HR OnDemand services
- 3/20/2020 – Email to Policyholders regarding moratorium
- 3/19/2020 – Press Release regarding moratorium on cancellations
- 3/16/2020 – Email to Agents and Partners
- 3/05/2020 – Email to Policyholders regarding coronavirus & work comp
Keeping your workers safe
Worker safety is a top priority during this difficult time. Our Risk Management team is developing useful resources to help your employees stay safe and injury free, including checklists, references, plans and webinars.
Returning your employees to the workplace
As you reopen your workplace, we want everyone to be and feel safe. To assist in your efforts, we’ve compiled helpful resources to make things easier, including our step-by-step Return to the Workplace Toolkit.
- COVID-19: Return to The Workplace IDPRP Toolkit – Complete this “Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan Addendum” document for your own return-to-work assessment and plan.
- Eliminate the Spread of COVID-19 – Workday Flow – This helpful poster reminds employees what they can do throughout the day to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- COVID-19 Prevention and Risks Flyer – Post this flyer to help remind employees to practice social distancing, clean and disinfect and other helpful prevention measures.
- COVID-19: Stop the Spread of Germs – Reminds employees of safe work practices.
- Q&A: It’s Never Too Late To Plan – ICW Group’s VP of Risk Management Rick Fineman talks to Insurance Business America about what businesses need to consider when returning employees to the workplace.
- How to Plan to Return to Work – ICW Group’s VP of Risk Management Rick Fineman talks about the four phases of reopening a business during COVID-19 in Risk Management Magazine.
On-demand webinars: Returning to the Workplace During COVID-19
As you start to return your employees to work, navigating the impacts of COVID-19 will undoubtedly be a challenge. To help guide you with best practices to keep your employees safe, we’ve provided a three-part Safety Webinar Series.
On-demand webinar: Ergonomics for remote workers
Many of you who have employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. View and share this on-demand webinar. You’ll find sensible tips and practical guidance to improve home office ergonomics. Also, check out all of the included “At Home Edition” ergo materials!
HR OnDemand Coronavirus resources
As our policyholder, you have free access to our HR OnDemand services. See this helpful resource for employee guides, communications and law alerts. Newly added items include: Guidance from the CDC, OSHA, EEOC and HHS, best practices on how to handle an infectious outbreak, and a sample communication to send to employees.
On-demand webinar: Compliance Matters: Layoffs, Furloughs, and Recalls
Watch and share this informative COVID-19 webinar, offered through HR OnDemand and provided by ThinkHR. Kara Govro, ThinkHR Senior Legal Editor, addresses a topic we found to be top of mind for employers: layoffs, furloughs, and returning employees to work. Also pick up the resources included: The 2020 HR Technology and Benefits Report, COVID-19 Employer Survey and the webinar slides. (No login needed to view!)
Previous webinars offered through HR OnDemand
- HR Guidance and Best Practices – Kara Govro, JD, SPHR and ThinkHR Senior Legal Editor, presents current guidance from the CDC, illness and quarantine issues, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and reducing hours or closing.
- COVID-19 Regulatory Updates and FAQ Webinar – Kara Govro, JD, SPHR and ThinkHR Senior Legal Editor, addresses legal updates and the most common HR questions related to COVID-19 .
Login to HR OnDemand to get all Coronavirus resources
To get the full benefit of HR OnDemand‘s Coronavirus resources, login to find Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Sample Emergency Paid Sick Leave Policy (FFCRA Paid Sick Leave), Telecommuting Agreement, Work From Home Agreement, Acknowledgement of Receipt for Company-issued Property, and more!
- Login for the entire toolkit: HR OnDemand Coronavirus Resources
- Not an HR OnDemand user? Get signed up now!
Need an HR question answered now?
Of course, if you have an immediate question, just call! The support phone number is available once you login to HR OnDemand. Their team is standing by to answer your questions about how best to manage employer responsibilities and employees’ concerns on various situations related to COVID-19.
Helpful FAQs on workers’ comp and Coronavirus
Workplace safety FAQs
These FAQs have been compiled by our risk management team to help keep your workplace safe. Updated 3/27/20
Please refer to the following link to the OSHA COVID-19 website for the most current information: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/.
Yes, if it aligns with the following:
- Your respiratory protection plan is up-to-date and follows the manufacturer guidelines and OSHA 1910.134 standards at all times.
- Your plan includes that proper medical evaluations occur prior to any employee being allowed to use respiratory protection, sufficient cleaning and storage of respirators procedures are followed, proper fit testing occurs, cartridges are changed frequently or as needed, and damaged or worn respiratory equipment is replaced. Employees should not be allowed to share respiratory protection devices.
- Please refer to the OSHA link: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134.
The following CDC link provides practical strategies for Healthcare Facilities relating to COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/checklist-n95-strategy.html.
- Establish definitive start and end times for the workday.
- Maintain regular communication with your direct staff.
- During this crisis, ask employees how they are faring, both professionally and personally.
- Keep detailed records of conversations surrounding assigned work activities and times.
Workers’ compensation claims FAQs
Our dedicated team of highly trained claim specialists is working hard to provide you with accurate information specific to your claims needs as it relates to COVID-19. These FAQs have been compiled to help you gain a handle on workplace-related illnesses and associated claims.* Updated 3/16/20
* Please note: Determining compensability of claims during this pandemic requires specific facts, review of rules and regulations applicable in each jurisdiction, and state directives ordered at the time of alleged injury. These details are thoroughly reviewed by our claim experts to ensure you get the response that addresses your immediate concerns. Please contact us directly at 855.442.9252 for questions specific to claims or for guidance on handling potential scenarios.
Premium Audit FAQs
Updated 8/31/22
At final audit, however it is very important to have all of these employees/dates/times/dollar amounts documented. The auditor will ask to see your documentation on the employees in question, and the time frame. For the audit, we do have to report to the state regulatory bureaus the amount of “furloughed” or “paid but not working” payroll.
For California – The provision for excluding covid-19 furlough pay for an employee who was paid but not performing any work ended 30 days from the end of the Stay At Home Order. Therefore, any amounts paid after 7/11/2021 will be included.
For all other states, including NCCI states – For all amounts being paid through payroll AND the employee is not working at all due to covid-19 related reasons — these wages can be excluded. Do not report these wages on monthly reporting.
At final audit, however it is very important to have all of these employees/dates/times/dollar amounts documented. The auditor will ask to see your documentation on the employees in question, and the time frame. For the audit we do have to report to the state regulatory bureaus the amount of “furloughed” or “paid but not working” payroll.
As with everything else, it is important that this is documented thoroughly in your records.
For California – The provision allowing a one-time change to Clerical work for employees who did not normally work in the office ended 60 days from the end of the Stay At Home Order. Therefore, temporary changes to the Clerical classification due to the CA Stay At Home Order are not allowed after 8/10/2021.
Any temporary reassignments to clerical job duties prior to 8/10/21 can be reported under 8810 – Clerical Office, however, it is important to note that you can’t report them in clerical one week, back to manufacturing the next week, and back to clerical. They can only switch jobs to clerical one time during the policy period. (This applies to numerous industries, not just manufacturing).
If you have any questions on anything related to the payroll reporting, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: 858-350-7399 or at premiumaudit@icwgroup.com.