[g0gat0rs]

FL Worker's comp laws need to be changed to allow common sense. I have no issues with legitimate injuries on the job, although if an employee did not follow the proper safety protocol in place by his employer, that should not fall back on the employer's dime. Every report should be investigated by the state/insurance company for merit with the strictest guidelines.

Also, worker's comp fraud penalties need to be more strict like 10 years for the first offense. If the doctor is found to be assisting fraud, that doctor should be suspended during trial, and subsequently barred from medicine for life. Also, if it's found that an employee committed fraud, they should be held financially liable, not just a penalty from the state, but personal liability as well (ie garnishing future wages) for wasting the employer's time. Also, it should be in law that the employee notifies his next employer of his previous claims.

Can't stand unemployment laws either. Majority of the states are "at will" states yet doesn't allow freedom for employers to terminate "at will." Why not make everybody sign contracts? If employers can't terminate "at will" employees shouldn't quit "at will."

So sick of lazy parasites.

On the bright side business owners can't be sued.

[buttlerfly11]

Your suggestions to reform worker's compensation laws in Florida are valid. However... What about corporate fraud on tax incentives intended to create new employment opportunities? What about the common practice of making hiring decisions just for the sake of receiving tax incentives from state and federal government and then terminating new hires when tax incentives are over?

Here are some of the tax incentives available to employers:

1. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) created in 1996 and the Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit (WWTC) created in 1997, are incentives that Congress provides to private-sector employers for hiring economically disadvantaged individuals with significant barriers to employment. The following are some ways in which employers will benefit from these tax incentive opportunities:
   • Employer makes the hiring decision
   • Employer can claim up to $8,500 in potential tax credits
   • No restrictions on the number of qualified individuals Employer can hire
   • Credits are applied to taxes due to the Internal Revenue Service and unused tax credits may be carried over to the next tax year
2. The HIRE Act allows businesses that hire new employees prior to January 1, 2011, to withhold payment of the employer's share of the Social Security tax (6.2% of wages). This reduced tax withholding will have no effect on the employee's future Social Security benefits. Additionally, businesses that retain a newly hired employee for at least 52 consecutive weeks can qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,000. Both tax breaks are available for new hires who have been unemployed for at least 60 days immediately prior to beginning their new job. A qualified new hire is defined as follows:
   • Employee hired between Feb 3, 2010 and Dec 31, 2010
   • Employee previously unemployed or employed less than 40 hours within the prior 60 days
   • Employees must sign an affidavit under the penalties and perjury law
   • Employee can't be related to the employer

• • To qualify for additional credit under the HIRE Act, Employers must ensure the following:
  • Employee must be retained for 52 weeks
  • Employee must earn at least 80% of the amount of wages they earned in the first 26 weeks of the 52 week period during the last 28 weeks of the 52 weeks retention period

These are just some of the FEDERAL incentives available to employers. There are other incentives, such as Veteran Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.

LET'S TALK ABOUT CORPORATE WELFARE! I am not justifying employee fraud, but... if we are going to talk about reforms... let's reform evenly!

Source: Workforce One Broward County

[boxus]

"Can't stand unemployment laws either. Majority of the states are "at will" states yet doesn't allow freedom for employers to terminate "at will." Why not make everybody sign contracts? If employers can't terminate "at will" employees shouldn't quit "at will."

Employers can terminate an employee for any reason, or no reason, just as long as the reason does not violate the EEO laws. The burden is on the employer to prove the termination was not in violation of EEO laws.

There is no law keeping an employer from making someone sign a contract, that is totally upon the employer to do so.

[user8]

Originally Posted by g0gat0rs

Can't stand unemployment laws either. Majority of the states are "at will" states yet doesn't allow freedom for employers to terminate "at will."

what are you talking about? that's the basis for at-will employment. you think there aren't any employers who have exercised this right afforded to them? you're nuts.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by g0gat0rs

Also, worker's comp fraud penalties need to be more strict like 10 years for the first offense.

.

10yrs for a first time worker's comp fraud? rather draconian as some murderers dont get that kind of penalty..
As for 'at will'i presume thats something like right to work states?
Yeah when i used to work in Florida i had the mispleasure of coming to work on several occasions only to be told my services were no longer required no explanation given,doesnt give one a great sense of security when the boss or whoever is calling the shots can just let you go for no reason given.
PS. what percentage of workmans comp claiments do you think are your
"lazy parasites."?

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by g0gat0rs

FL Worker's comp laws need to be changed to allow common sense. I have no issues with legitimate injuries on the job, although if an employee did not follow the proper safety protocol in place by his employer, that should not fall back on the employer's dime. Every report should be investigated by the state/insurance company for merit with the strictest guidelines.

Also, worker's comp fraud penalties need to be more strict like 10 years for the first offense. If the doctor is found to be assisting fraud, that doctor should be suspended during trial, and subsequently barred from medicine for life. Also, if it's found that an employee committed fraud, they should be held financially liable, not just a penalty from the state, but personal liability as well (ie garnishing future wages) for wasting the employer's time. Also, it should be in law that the employee notifies his next employer of his previous claims.

Can't stand unemployment laws either. Majority of the states are "at will" states yet doesn't allow freedom for employers to terminate "at will." Why not make everybody sign contracts? If employers can't terminate "at will" employees shouldn't quit "at will."

So sick of lazy parasites.

On the bright side business owners can't be sued.

Don't worry, dude-with the anti working person/ pro business lunatics we have in Tallahassee, you'll get your wish soon.

Until that happens, you might want to think about relocating your business to Somalia or North Korea.

[sware2cod]

Originally Posted by g0gat0rs

. Also, it should be in law that the employee notifies his next employer of his previous claims.

This penalizes someone that legitimately got hurt on the job. Over 95% of workers comp claims are legit. Even when safety standards are followed, folks get hurt.

There really are not that many fraudulent claims. They are the ones that make the news, however.

[stpeteguy]

Originally Posted by g0gat0rs

FL
So sick of lazy parasites.

.

You probably pay like crap, which is why you attract only parasites.

If you pay a good wage, you get quality people.

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by g0gat0rs

Can't stand unemployment laws either. Majority of the states are "at will" states yet doesn't allow freedom for employers to terminate "at will." Why not make everybody sign contracts? If employers can't terminate "at will" employees shouldn't quit "at will."

So sick of lazy parasites.

On the bright side business owners can't be sued.

This ^^^ is one of the reasons I left Florida.

You see employers mindsets within this post. For years, employers in Florida have been screwing over their employees by paying extremely low wages, little to no health care, and my favorite, firing them when they're up for a raise or promotion and replacing them with another low income employee.

The employers can't keep good, hard working, and loyal employees because they constantly screw them over to the point that they stop wanting to work hard or eventually just quit and find another, then there is the start to the endless crap employers spout about "lazy parasites" and my favorite, "I pay what they're worth!"

Before casting stones at the working class citizens, employers in Florida need to take a good, long, hard look in the mirror. You'll get a better work force with a decent wage and good working conditions, until then, you're stuck with unmotivated people that'll quit when something better comes along !

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by g0gat0rs

FL Worker's comp laws need to be changed to allow common sense. I have no issues with legitimate injuries on the job, although if an employee did not follow the proper safety protocol in place by his employer, that should not fall back on the employer's dime. Every report should be investigated by the state/insurance company for merit with the strictest guidelines.

Also, worker's comp fraud penalties need to be more strict like 10 years for the first offense. If the doctor is found to be assisting fraud, that doctor should be suspended during trial, and subsequently barred from medicine for life. Also, if it's found that an employee committed fraud, they should be held financially liable, not just a penalty from the state, but personal liability as well (ie garnishing future wages) for wasting the employer's time. Also, it should be in law that the employee notifies his next employer of his previous claims.

Can't stand unemployment laws either. Majority of the states are "at will" states yet doesn't allow freedom for employers to terminate "at will." Why not make everybody sign contracts? If employers can't terminate "at will" employees shouldn't quit "at will."

So sick of lazy parasites.

On the bright side business owners can't be sued.

Two other points to consider:

1. WC doesn't want to pay legitimate claims either in some cases so as an employer you should be just as irate that they are taking your money and not wanting to pay your employees claims.

2. Dr's can be fooled by good conmen (and women) also. Plenty of good actors out there faking injuries to get settlements and/or prescription pills.