As more employees are working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic—many of whom are doing so indefinitely with no firm end point in sight--employers should urge employees to take certain steps to avoid injury and create a productive, safe, and comfortable work environment. Here are some tips for working from home: Set up an ergonomic work station. Ergonomics is the study of the body and how it interacts with [...]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of employees are continuing to work from home; however, working from home may complicate workers’ compensation claims. Workers’ compensation generally applies only to injuries occurring in the scope and course of employment. This can be problematic as employers have little or no control of an employee’s home office environment. It is also more difficult to prove that an injury was work-related, because [...]
In late April, the Iowa American Federation of Law, AFL-CIO, called on Iowa state officials to establish standards and protections for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including expanding workers’ compensation coverage to essential workers. Both Iowa and Nebraska have yet to consider extending such protections. Ordinarily, the worker must demonstrate that he or she was injured in the course or scope of employment. With respect to COVID-19, the employee would [...]
Construction projects are still humming along in the Midwest. But, this is only happening with construction companies making adjustments to their daily operations to protect employee safety. Here are a few measures the industry is taking to minimize the risk of COVID-19 to employees. AGC is recommending a nationwide Safety Stand-Down ABC is recommending Covid-19 based Tool Box Talks; alcohol-based hand sanitizer and wash stations throughout the worksite; requiring and [...]
NEBRASKA 1. If somebody was on modified duty and due to the virus the employer is shutting down, are we responsible to pick up TD? Nebraska courts require employers to pay temporary disability benefits until the sooner of two events: (1) the worker reaches maximum medical improvement, or (2) the worker returns to work. Unless and until the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act were to be amended in subsequent legislative [...]
