Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1189280
A s 2019 draws to a close, many businesses are devising their budgets, considering expenses, and finding ways to save money The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is also busy finalizing proposed rates, which will determine how much employers will pay in workers' compensation premiums in 2020, impacting your bottom line GRIP members have an advantage here—they receive support and strategies that uniquely position them to save money on workers' comp costs GRIP members can also receive an annual refund on their premiums through the GRIP Retro Program and potentially save an additional 10–40% on their rates through a claim-free discount The key to saving money in Washington is eliminating time loss The single most important strategy employers can use to help reduce time loss—and thus their total workers' compensation costs—is providing Return to Work (RTW) for injured employees as soon as Through GRIP participation, employers receive the expertise of ERNwest. Get help, stay in control, and save money at mbaGRIP.com medically possible Bringing employees back to work in a light or modified duty capacity has been shown to: • Decrease claim duration and costs • Maintain the relationship you have with your employee • Help maintain the relationships your employees have with your customers And RTW pays! For employers who bring injured employees back to light or modified duty work, L&I's Stay at Work program reimburses 50% of base wages, up to $10,000 In cases where an injured employee is not immediately released for light or regular duty, RTW is not an option, but employers still have ways to stay in control and keep their premiums low Kept on Salary (KOS) is when an employer pays workers their wages instead of L&I paying for time spent away from work In almost all circumstances, this combination of KOS and RTW is beneficial to your company by ensuring lower rates and better refunds RTW pays! Employers who bring injured employees back to light or modified duty work can get reimbursed up to $10,000 through L&I's Stay at Work program. Return to Work and Kept on Salary Make Dollars and Sense BY KIM MURPHEY ERNWEST UPCOMING GRIP CLASSES GETTING YOUR GRIP ON CLAIMS, COMP & SAFETY Dec. 11 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. MBAPC, Tacoma Jan. 7 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. MBAKS, Bellevue Feb. 4 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. MBAKS, Bellevue OSHA 300 RECORDKEEPING Dec. 11 12:30–2 p.m. MBAPC, Tacoma Jan. 7 12:30–2 p.m. MBAKS, Bellevue SUPERVISING FOR SAFETY Feb. 4 12:30–2 p.m. MBAKS, Bellevue membership value 35 WINTER 2019 master builder