Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation
... If an individual is disqualified/denied benefits, they have the right to file an appeal. The State advises individuals of their appeal rights. Individuals must file their appeal within an established period, and employers’ have the right to file an appeal in the same manner. The amount of benefits an individual receives comes from a percentage of his or her earnings over a recent 52-week period – up to a State maximum amount. Individuals can receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks in most States. Additional weeks of benefits may be available during times of high unemployment, which fall into Extended Benefits. Benefits are subject to Federal income taxes and require reporting on Federal income tax return. An election to withhold the tax is possible by the State Unemployment Insurance agency. Extended Benefits are available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment. The basic Extended Benefits program provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits when a State is experiencing high unemployment. Some States have also enacted a voluntary program to pay up to 7 additional weeks (20 weeks maximum) of Extended Benefits during periods of extremely high unemployment (http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov). Not everyone who qualified for regular benefits qualifies for Extended Benefits. The State agency will advise individuals of eligibility. I think unemployment insurance has both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages are the benefit helps individuals who terminate due to structure changes in organizations. I have friends and family members who are survivors of downsizing or mergers, and while the benefit amount may not be much, it helps. Disadvantages of unemployment insurance are individuals see the benefit as a means of taking some “free” time off work with pay. Terminated individuals from our company query if will they receive unemployment. I struggle with finding sympathy for individuals who do not come to work because they simply do not want to, yet desire a paycheck each week. Former employees receive information for filing for the benefit, and the fact that our organization does not make the approval or denial decision. Workers’ Compensation Insurance Workers’ compensation insurance compensates an employee for lost time, medical expenses, and loss of life or dismemberment from an injury arising out of or in the course of work. Employees must report any accident or injury immediately to his/her supervisor and the Human Resources Department so that the necessary paperwork may be completed (http://www.shrm.org). Employers are responsible for costs, and the program is run by States. Workers’ compensation objectives and obligations to the public include provide sure, prompt, and reasonable income and medical benefits to work-accident victims, or income benefits to their dependants regardless of fault. In addition, provide a single remedy and reduce court delays, costs, and workloads arising out of personal injury litigation, and relieve public and private charities of financial drains. Also, eliminate payment of fees to lawyers and witnesses as well as time-consuming trials and appeals, encourage maximum employer interest in safety and rehabilitation through appropriate experience-rating mechanisms, and promote frank study of causes of accidents (rather than concealment of fault), reducing preventable accidents and human suffering (Martocchio, 2004). Employees can incur three kinds of claims. Injury claims are usually defined as claims for disabilities that have resulted from accidents, injuries from equipment use, or physical strains from heavy lifting or repetitive strain. Occupational disease claims result from disabilities caused by ailments associated with ailments associated with particular industrial trades or processes, such as black lung, which is common among coal miners. Death claims asks for compensation for deaths that occur in the course of employment or that are caused by compensable injuries or occupational diseases (Martocchio, 2004). Employers pay a workers’ compensation premium per $100 of payroll based on a complex system of classifications and experience ratings. The magnitude of worker’s compensation is best measured by “benefits paid”. This measure allows the inclusion of self-insured employers who pay benefits but do not pay premiums. All but five states provide full medical treatment ...