Coverage Gaps and Cost-Shifting for Work-Related Injury and Illness: Who Bears the Financial Burden?

Sears, Jeanne M.; Edmonds, Amy T; Coe, Norma B.

doi:10.1177/1077558719845726

Cited by 12 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Due to survey eligibility criteria, findings from this study may not be generalizable to workers with disabilities not acquired at work or to workers with disabilities acquired at work who did not qualify for, apply for, or receive WC benefits. For example, many workers (e.g., migrant farmworkers, domestic workers) may be excluded from WC coverage 68 . Also, our analysis is limited to wage earners; however, many self‐employed workers are engaged in work arrangements that are typically defined as nonstandard (e.g., independent contractors).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of nonstandard and precarious jobs in the well‐being of disabled workers during workforce reintegration

Edmonds

Sears

O’Connor

et al. 2021

American J Industrial Med

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Background: Nonstandard employment arrangements are becoming increasingly common and could provide needed flexibility for workers living with disabilities.However, these arrangements may indicate precarious employment, that is, employment characterized by instability, powerlessness, and limited worker rights and benefits. Little is known about the role of nonstandard and precarious jobs in the well-being of disabled persons during workforce reintegration after permanent impairment from work-related injuries or illnesses. Methods:We used linked survey and administrative data for a sample of 442 Washington State workers who recently returned to work and received a workers' compensation permanent partial disability award after permanent impairment from a work-related injury. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between nonstandard employment and outcomes related to worker well-being and sustained employment. We also examined associations between a multidimensional measure of precarious employment and these outcomes.Secondarily, qualitative content analysis methods were used to code worker suggestions on how workplaces could support sustained return to work (RTW).Results: Workers in: (1) nonstandard jobs (compared with full-time, permanent jobs), and (2) precarious jobs (compared with less precarious jobs) had higher adjusted odds of low expectations for sustained RTW. Additionally, workers in precarious jobs had higher odds of reporting fair or poor health and unmet need for disability accommodation. Workers in nonstandard and precarious jobs frequently reported wanting safer and adequately staffed workplaces to ensure safety and maintain sustained employment.Conclusions: Ensuring safe, secure employment for disabled workers could play an important role in their well-being and sustained RTW.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, many workers (e.g., migrant farmworkers, domestic workers) may be excluded from WC coverage. 68 Also, our analysis is limited to wage earners; however, many self-employed workers are engaged in work arrangements that are typically defined as nonstandard (e.g., independent contractors).…”

Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of nonstandard and precarious jobs in the well‐being of disabled workers during workforce reintegration

Edmonds

Sears

O’Connor

et al. 2021

American J Industrial Med

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“…This phenomenon has been described as the “discourse of abuse,” emanating from the prevalent underlying assumption that injured workers may be taking advantage of the system 37 . This assumption persists despite overwhelming evidence of systematic shifting of the economic burden of work‐related injury/illness away from the WC system and employers onto other health/disability insurance, the social safety net, and workers themselves 4 . Although most respondents thought workplace improvement was needed, workers—and injured workers in particular‐‐have limited opportunity to provide input on workplace changes that could promote their wellbeing 37,60 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sustained return to work (RTW) after occupational injury or illness is important for workers' health and economic stability, as well as for workplace productivity. Although primary prevention is key, efforts to sustain RTW and prevent reinjury may reduce the considerable health, economic, and social burden of occupational injury/illness 3–5 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace improvements to support safe and sustained return to work: Suggestions from a survey of workers with permanent impairments

Sears

Edmonds

MacEachen

et al. 2021

American J Industrial Med

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Background Roughly 10% of occupational injuries result in permanent impairment. After initial return to work (RTW), many workers with permanent impairments face RTW interruption due to reinjury, unstable health, disability, and layoff. This study used open‐ended survey data to: (1) explore workplace factors identified by workers as important levers for change, some of which may previously have been unrecognized; and (2) summarize workers' suggestions for workplace improvements to promote sustained RTW and prevent reinjury. Methods This study included data from workers' compensation claims and telephone surveys of 582 Washington State workers who had RTW after a work‐related injury involving permanent impairment. The survey was conducted in 2019, about a year after claim closure. We used qualitative content analysis methods to inductively code open‐ended survey responses. Results The most frequent themes were: safety precautions/safer workplace (18.1%), adequate staffing/appropriate task distribution (16.2%), and safety climate (14.1%). Other frequent themes included ergonomics, rest breaks, job strain, predictability and flexibility in work scheduling practices, employer response to injury, social support, communication, and respect. Many workers reported that they were not listened to, or that their input was not sought or valued. Workers often linked communication deficiencies to preventable deficiencies in safety practices, safety climate, and RTW practices, and also to lack of respect or distrust. In counterpoint, nearly one‐third of respondents reported that no change was needed to their workplace. Conclusions Policies and interventions targeting worker‐suggested workplace improvements may promote safe and sustained RTW, which is essential for worker health and economic stability.

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“…First, for all industries including the construction industry, researchers have concentrated on deriving and calculating the fatality loss [23,27,[33][34][35][36][37][38].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Framework for Estimating Fatality-Related Losses in the Korean Construction Industry

Lee

Jeong

Soh

2021

IJERPH

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The number of fatalities in the construction industry is highest among all industries; thus, various losses in the form of fatalities in construction represent a significant factor for safety management. If a fatality occurs, it is important to estimate the overall loss, as a significant financial loss occurs for each project participant. However, in studies of the cost of accidents involving a fatality conducted abroad, the framework cannot be applied as it is because insurance types, systems, and legal cost systems differ by country. Therefore, we developed a framework for calculating the fatality loss considering various aspects of labor, industry, and regulations in Korea. This was done in four steps: (i) data collection and criteria selection; (ii) proposed framework development; (iii) conduct of questionnaire surveys for the case study; and (iv) analysis and evaluation of the case study. As a result of the data analysis after the case study of general construction companies, the total fatality loss was estimated to be 2,198,260 USD/person. The contributions of this study are the development of a framework composed of newly discovered items that can acquire reliable data in consideration of the properties of the construction industry.

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Coverage Gaps and Cost-Shifting for Work-Related Injury and Illness: Who Bears the Financial Burden?

Cited by 12 publications

References 91 publications

The role of nonstandard and precarious jobs in the well‐being of disabled workers during workforce reintegration

The role of nonstandard and precarious jobs in the well‐being of disabled workers during workforce reintegration

Workplace improvements to support safe and sustained return to work: Suggestions from a survey of workers with permanent impairments

Development of Framework for Estimating Fatality-Related Losses in the Korean Construction Industry

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