Quote of the day
"Bullying in the workplace can lead to unmotivated staff, absenteeism and ultimately a high level of staff turnover."
Joydeep Hor, managing partner of Australia's Harmers Workplace Lawyers
Go to the full story in the Age (Melbourne)
Employers Need to Face Up to Bullying Costs, Says Aussie Lawyer
Billions of dollars in compensation would be saved each year if employers were more open about their policies on bullying as well as health and safety, says an Australian labor lawyer. Forty percent of that country’s workforce is unaware of legislation intended to protect them, according to a survey. By AAP via the Age (Melbourne) [may require registration] Go to the Full Story…
WSI Whistleblower: Officials Schemed to Keep Agency Independent
The chief of support services for North Dakota workers’ comp agency Workforce Safety and Insurance contends that WSI officials in April 2007 met with two key legislators, a state business leader and the then-state Republican Party leader to discuss keeping the agency outside political control, in the immediate wake of a critical audit. The whistleblower was suspended with pay but banned from WSI after he met with criminal investigators. By Patrick Springer, Fargo Forum [may require registration] Go to the Full Story…
BrickStreet: ‘Timing Is Bad’ for Oversight Bill
West Virginia lawmakers who think the full privatization of the state’s workers’ compensation market in July is a good reason for legislative oversight are running into opposition from BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. chief Greg Burton, who advises waiting a few years to evaluate “how the market opens up.” By Jessica Legge, Times West Virginian (Fairmont, W.V.)
Go to the Full Story…
Workers’ Comp Oversight Supporter to Challenge W.V. Governor
West Virginia Del. Mel Kessler throws his hat in the ring to challenge Gov. Joe Manchin, citing the governor’s his opposition to legislative oversight of workers’ compensation, which Kessler has championed. By Lawrence Messina, Times West Virginian (Fairmont, W.V.)
Go to the Full Story…
Study Finds Cancer Rate Spike at Nuclear Facility
Workers at one U.S. nuclear facility, the Savannah River Site, a South Carolina facility that has processed nuclear materials since the 1950’s, have suffered higher-than-average rates of certain cancers, a study shows, suggesting that workplace exposures are responsible. The study looked at nearly 19,000 employees. Scientific American
Go to the Full Story…