The Greater Cleveland Partnership and COSE have played a major role in the workers’ comp arena for more than 20 years. We’ve helped our members save millions in BWC premiums each year, provided advocacy, education and help navigating the BWC system. 

In 2016, we partnered with Minute Men HR (MMHR) to provide management of our group savings programs and support our members with Third Party Administrator (TPA) services and sound guidance through personalized policy/program consultation and management.

In these challenging and unprecedented times, we want you to know that you can count on our workers’ comp team to be your trusted advisor and to find the best options for your specific needs.

We will be providing timely information about BWC programs that help you save on your BWC premiums, whether you are enrolled in group savings programs or not. Please look for our emails and feel free to visit our Workers’ Comp page at www.cose.org/workerscomp or contact our team by calling 216-452-0107 or email cose@minutemenhr.com.

January, 2021 – The Policy Activity Rebate Program (PAR)

The PAR program was introduced as a pilot program and is being offered for the current policy year (7/1/2020 – 6/30/2021). This program is open to employers with premium greater than $350 that are NOT enrolled in a group savings program. Eligible employers can earn a 50% premium rebate (up to $2,000) by completing 11 activities from a list of 33 BWC safety activities. The activities are easy to achieve and, in addition to the premium savings, the activities will help you learn more about the BWC and build a safer workplace.

A link to the BWC overview is below. Please take the time to review the program. The application deadline is January 29 and the activities must be completed before May 31, 2021.

For more details about the program, please feel free to contact the MMHR/COSE Workers’ Comp team or your specific BWC rep. 

https://info.bwc.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/bwc/for-employers/workers-compensation-coverage/rates-and-bonuses/par-program-overview

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We encourage you to be more active in monitoring and managing your policy (if you aren’t already).  The following action items can help you: 

1. Set up an e-account on the BWC website (www.bwc.ohio.gov).
   1. Pay premiums online through the BWC website to obtain the Go Green rebate
2. Check your BWC policy online once a month to stay on top of any changes and make sure you don’t have a balance due.
3. Make sure your contact information is current – on the BWC website and with your Third Party Administrator(TPA) and Managed Care Organization (MCO) so that you never miss important information.

If you have an e-account, but can’t find your login information, you will need to contact the Ohio BWC at 1-800-644-6292 for assistance in resetting your account information.

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As always, if you have questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact our Workers’ Comp Team at Minute Men HR by calling Client Relations Manager, Maria Mastrandrea at 216-452-0107 or email Maria.Mastrandrea@minutemenhr.com. 

And if you’re not already taking advantage of being enrolled in the COSE Workers’ Comp Program, please let Maria know and she will help you Maximize Your Membership!

If you are looking to start a new business, buy an existing business or move your business, there are some things you need to know about workers’ compensation coverage. 

If you are starting a business and plan to have at least one employee, you need to apply for coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The most efficient way to do this is online through the BWC website (www.bwc.ohio.gov). Once you apply for coverage, you can take advantage of the Grow Ohio Incentive Program to obtain discounts on your premiums by joining a Group Rating Program. 

If you are planning to buy an existing business, you need to know a few things. First of all, if you acquire the assets of an existing business—in whole or in part—the workers’ compensation experience of the current owner (predecessor) will be transferred you (successor). This is a BWC policy called Successor Liability. In order to have an idea of what will be in store for you, you can complete a Request for Business Transfer Information (AC-4) form. This needs to be completed and signed by both parties and allows you, as the buyer, to view any outstanding liabilities as well as the risk experience that you will inherit.

Even if you are not acquiring a business, but are simply moving into a location that was previously occupied by a similar business (i.e., a restaurant), you should try to contact the previous business owner to sign off on the AC-4 so that you are prepared in the event the BWC determines you are a successor.

If all goes well and you go forward with the acquisition, you are required to notify the BWC by completing a Notification of Business Acquisition/Purchase Merger/Sale (U-118). This can also be completed on the BWC website. 

Finally, if you are making any changes in your business—changing name or DBA, adding a partner, changing the address or contact information—you need to complete a Notification of Policy Update (U-117). As with the other forms, the U-117 can also be completed online through the BWC website.   

• View links to the forms mentioned in this blog.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership and COSE have a team of workers’ comp experts that can help you navigate the complex world of workers’ compensation n and can also help you save money on your premiums through our Group Rating Program.  Call us at 216-5920-2351 or send an email to workerscomp@cose.org if you need some assistance or would like more information about all the ways we can help you.  You can also visit our workers’ comp webpage. www.cose.org/workerscomp

After decades of charging Ohio businesses workers’ compensation premiums after coverage has been extended, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will be transitioning to a prospective premium collection model this year. The new billing system is designed to provide more flexibility for employers while reducing overall system costs to the state. The change also aligns the BWC with the standard insurance industry practice of collecting premiums before extending coverage (e.g. property & casualty, general liability, etc.)

This change to prospective billing goes into effect on July 1, but there are some developments in May that are important to note.

In late May, BWC will mail all private employers a notice of estimated annual premium. This notice will be based on your reported payroll for July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014. It is not a bill, but please review it for accuracy and contact BWC if you feel something is incorrect. This payroll will be used as the basis of your 2015 premium.

If you would like additional information, the BWC website has details about the changes  and programs. Visit www.bwc.ohio.gov. Click on the Employers tab on the menu. Then select Prospective Billing under the Featured Links tab. You can also contact COSE’s Workers’ Comp team at 216-592-2351.

BWC Payroll reports for the first half of 2015 are due this month but you probably don’t owe premium for this period!  Any business that has a policy in active status as of July 1, 2015 is not required to remit premium payment for the 1/1/2015 the 6/30/2015 period.  This is what the Ohio BWC is deeming a “transition credit” period.  The payroll report must still be completed and sent to BWC by August 31^st for the transition credit to be honored.  The idea is to take the financial burden off the employer as the state transitions into prospective billing this summer.

You may also notice that your security deposit with the BWC (possibly paid years ago!) is being credited back to your policy. This is also part of the transition plan as Ohio businesses begin paying workers’ compensation premiums before the actual coverage is extended.

Also be sure to take notice of your new prospective billing cycle with the BWC beginning in this second half of 2015. Most employers will be paying premiums on a bi-monthly schedule.

If you would like additional information, the BWC website has details about these changes. Visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.  Click on the Employers tab on the menu.  Then select Prospective Billing under the Featured Links tab.  You can also contact COSE’s Workers’ Comp Team at 216-592-2351.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors recently authorized a 20 percent reduction in the average premium rate it collects from private employers.

New BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud cited safer workplaces resulting in fewer and less costly workplace injury claims and continued lower inflation of medical costs being among the factors that make the reduction possible.

According to an official news release from the Ohio BWC:

The 20 percent rate cut represents an average statewide change. The actual total premium paid by individual private employers depends on a number of factors, including the expected future claims costs in their industry, their company’s recent claims history, participation in various BWC rebate programs as well as assessments collected to fund the operations of the system. The Board will consider these assessment rates during its next meeting in March.

The reduction is BWC’s largest in nearly 60 years and it will go into effect on July 1.

Want to learn more about how the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) workers' compensation program has been saving Ohio businesses money for over 20 years? 

Click here to learn more about our partnership with Minute Men HR Management Services (MMHR). 

It’s never an easy subject, but every business, no matter how large or small, can experience workplace violence. Even the smallest businesses need to allocate the appropriate resources toward workplace security and must take the proper precautions to keep everyone safe.

In the first of this two-part series we will help employers identify signs of potential workplace violence. Next month we will dive deeper into steps you need to take if there’s reason to believe a violent situation could happen in your workplace.

Warning signs and signals

As a business owner, it is crucial that you know and can recognize the warning signs of potential workplace violence. While it can be very difficult to know when a person is going to be violent, and not all people will show the exact signs we discuss here, workplace violence can often be prevented by understanding the behaviors that may result in physical injury or even death. While every situation is unique, there are some warning signs that are generally exhibited by individuals in need of assistance.

•          RELATED: How much do you know about firearms in the workplace?

It is important to note that just because someone exhibits one or more of these behaviors, it does not necessarily mean they are going to become violent. However, you should always be aware of sudden behavior changes.

When it comes to workplace violence, there are many general warning signs.

Warning sign No. 1

Crying, sulking, throwing temper tantrums, or being unable to handle criticism.

Warning sign No. 2

Exhibiting excessive absenteeism or lateness.

Warning sign No. 3

Pushing the limits of acceptable conduct, or disregarding the health and safety of others.

Warning sign No. 4

Showing disrespect for authority or testing the limits of behaviors.

Warning sign No. 5

Increasingly making mistakes and errors, producing unsatisfactory work quality, making poor decisions or refusing to acknowledge job performance problems.

Warning sign No. 6

Swearing or making inappropriate or emotional statements.

Warning sign No. 7

Being forgetful, confused, distracted or unable to focus.

Warning sign No. 8

Blaming others for mistakes, complaining of unfair personal treatment, or insisting that he or she is always right.

Warning sign No. 9

Misinterpreting communication from supervisors or co-workers.

Warning sign No. 10

Being socially isolated.

Warning sign No. 11

Having poor personal hygiene, complaining of unusual and/or non-specific illnesses.

Warning sign No. 12

Holding grudges or making threats, especially against his or her supervisor.

•          RELATED: Here are nine things you should include in your emergency action plan.

There are also some specific physical signs that you should be aware of.

Warning sign No. 13

Flushed or pale face, sweating, pacing, restlessness, or repetitive movements.

Warning sign No. 14

Signs of extreme fatigue.

Warning sign No. 15

Trembling, shaking, clenched jaws or fists, exaggerated or violent gestures.

Warning sign No. 16

Changes in voice, loud talking or chanting.

Warning sign No. 17

Shallow, rapid breathing.

Warning sign No. 18

Scowling, sneering or use of abusive language.

Warning sign No. 19

Glaring or avoiding eye contact.

Warning sign No. 20

Violating someone’s personal space (getting too close).

•          RELATED: Read more from Tim Dimoff on keeping your company safe and other HR topics.

And lastly, be aware of anyone who shows these traits.

Warning sign No. 21

Has a history of, or is enthralled with, episodes of workplace violence.

Warning sign No. 22

Shows an extreme interest in or an obsession with weapons.

Warning sign No. 23

Has demonstrated violent, intimidating or threatening behavior toward a person or objects.

Warning sign No. 24

States intentions to hurt someone (verbal or written).

Warning sign No. 25

Holds grudges or exhibits excessive behavior (repeated phone calls, stalking, gift giving).

Warning sign No. 26

Is argumentative and uncooperative, displays unwarranted anger, is impulsive or easily frustrated, or appears to be unusually stressed.

Warning sign No. 27

Challenges peers and authority figures.

Warning sign No. 28

Has an unreciprocated romantic obsession.

Warning sign No. 29

Is experiencing stressful family or financial problems.

Warning sign No. 30

Displays negative personality characteristics, is suspicious of others, feels victimized or has a difficult time with criticism.

Warning sign No. 31

Displays a sense of entitlement.

Warning sign No. 32

Shows a lack of concern for the safety or well-being of others.

Warning sign No. 33

Is socially isolated or blames others for his or her problems or mistakes, appears depressed or exhibits a sense of hopelessness or heightened anxiety.

Warning sign No. 34

Shows low self-esteem, changes in mood or extreme behavior and/or irrational beliefs and ideas, or demonstrates a sudden or a drastic change in his or her belief systems.

Warning sign No. 35

Sees the company as their "family" or displays an obsessive involvement with his or her job; and

Warning sign No. 36

Abuses drugs or alcohol.

Even as a small business, it is important to have a workplace violence prevention policy and program that takes a comprehensive approach to identifying hazards and reducing the risks for your organization. Remember, employers have a legal obligation to provide employees with a safe workplace.

Be sure to check out the second of this two-part series next month as we discuss specific action steps you should take if you do suspect an employee exhibits any of these signs toward physical violence.

President, SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Speaker, Trainer, Corporate Security Expert Timothy A. Dimoff, CPP, president of SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Inc., is a speaker, trainer and author and a leading authority in high-risk workplace and human resource security and crime issues. He is a Certified Protection Professional; a certified legal expert in corporate security procedures and training; a member of the Ohio and International Narcotic Associations; the Ohio and National Societies for Human Resource Managers; and the American Society for Industrial Security. He holds a B.S. in Sociology, with an emphasis in criminology, from Dennison University. Contact him at mailto:info@sacsconsulting.com.