As an employer, you want your injured workers back on the job as soon as possible. But there’s a lot to consider – including how to properly accommodate workers who may now be considered disabled.
Plus, your managers and line supervisors must be prepared to effectively communicate with employees who return to work following a work-related injury or nonoccupational medical leave, and get them into modified duty positions that work for everyone involved. This requires time and training – you cannot assume that this is happening now at your workplace unless you’ve laid the groundwork.
To get your organization up to speed, order this 90-minute audio conference recording all about return-to-work issues. Our experts – a lawyer and an insurance expert – will explain the best ways to assimilate returning workers without putting them, or your company, at risk.
You and your colleagues will learn:
- Your critical role in your organization’s response to modified duty decisions and workplace assignments for disabled employees
- The legal risks your company can face if you botch the return-to-work process
- Essential procedures for conducting the “interactive process” that help prevent damaging claims and lawsuits
- Why your company may be “right” that no accommodation is available and still lose a lawsuit if it doesn’t follow consistent procedures and maintain good documentation
- How to recognize the essential roles of executives and HR specialists during and following every “interactive process” to prevent discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claims
- How to avoid common mistakes in providing return-to-work offers under the workers’ compensation system
- The role of immigration status when making a return-to-work offer under the workers’ compensation laws
This audio conference will be recorded on Thursday, January 24, 2008
About Your Speakers:
Patricia S. Eyres, Esq., is a principal at Stuart Baron & Associates, in Los Alamitos, California. Eyres calls herself a “recovering litigator” who knows first-hand the value of paying attention to prevention. After spending 18 years defending companies in the courtroom, she resolved to help business leaders recognize potential legal landmines before they explode into lawsuits. As a lawyer, trainer, and consultant, she brings a unique and practical perspective to the critical legal issues impacting the workplace. Eyres speaks internationally, consults with organizations on developing and enforcing effective policies, and trains managers to lead within legal limits. Her workshops focus on methods for preventing costly lawsuits or minimizing disruption when unavoidable claims occur. Eyres serves as publisher/CEO of Proactive Law Press, LLC.
Mark Webb, Esq., is with Employers Direct Insurance Company, in Thousand Oaks, California. Webb works closely with workers’ compensation regulators, policymakers, and advocates in the business community and organized labor to maintain the efficient operation of California’s multi-billion-dollar worker benefit system. Previously, Webb was assistant general counsel for American International Companies (AIG), where he coordinated lobbying activity in the Western United States on legislative and regulatory issues involving property and casualty, life and annuity, and consumer finance lines of business. He serves on numerous advisory and legal committees for the California Division of Workers’ Compensation, CWCI, CHSWC, WCRI, and several state business associations. Webb holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Arizona and a J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law.
