In most states, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage after the employer reaches a certain number of employees. And where some states will only require employers to inform their employees whether or not they carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage, others may require you to post a workers compensation notice in the form of a Notice of Injury poster or a Notice of Compliance poster.
What Are Workers Compensation Notices?
Employers automatically receive a Notice of Compliance or Workers Compensation Notice poster when they first obtain workers’ compensation coverage or change coverage providers. Once you have the posting notice, it remains valid as long as the policy remains active. You can make and post copies of valid posters, and the posters are generally available of the state labor site as well. Also, if the policyholder, employer name, or the insurer changes, you will automatically receive a new poster. A change only in the policy number does not require a new posting notice. However, when your policy renews, the workers compensation carrier usually sends out an updated poster with the new policy renewal date. Employers should post the new notice (with the new policy dates) when the poster is received.
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Posters Protect Employers
Each poster includes workers’ compensation information to help workers and employers provide current insurance information to health care providers at the time of injury. This information often includes the name of the employer’s current compensation insurance carrier, the effective date of the insurance policy, or the fact that the employer is self-insured. When claims are not reported promptly or contain inaccurate information, the potential delays can affect the coverage. Employers want to make sure that employees know who to call and what to do in the event of an injury. Failure to display the correct state and federal employment law notices can also result in penalties, fines and lawsuits.
See also: 5 Ways to Stop Distracted Driving Among Employees
Posters Protect Employees
In the same way that posters protect employers, they give employees key information. The posters help inform employees of their rights concerning workers’ compensation coverage. And they provide accurate information about who to call regarding a potential claim – information that can speed up treatment for the injured worker and simplify the claims process.
Where to Post Workers Compensation Notices
Posters should be displayed in such a way that each employee can readily see them (generally, the requirements have language such as “conspicuously placed” and “readily accessible” to employees). That would mean that employees who do not normally get to certain offices would not be served by posters displayed at those offices. In that case, the offices or sub-offices where those employees normally congregate would need to have the posters displayed for the benefit of the employees who are served by each such location.
The workers compensation notices that businesses must display can vary from one employer to another, and some employees are covered by state workers’ comp insurance. So, if you are not sure about your state and federal posting requirements, visit your State Workers’ Compensation Office or reach out to your HR professional for assistance.
