Louisiana Workers Comp Corp. Offers Tips for Hiring Seasonal Workers
Short-term hiring during the holiday season is a boon to both employers and employees, but businesses should take care to ensure the safety of temporary workers.
Richard Perkins, safety and loss prevention outreach coordinator for Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corp. (LWCC), has outlined three tips for employers who hire and supervise seasonal workers.
1. Business owners and managers should not view seasonal workers as temporary labor. It sounds odd but if they are injured, the effect on the company could be felt long-term.
“Seasonal employees should have the same orientation and training that your regular employees receive,” Perkins says.
2. Because seasonal workers are employed for a short time, it can be extremely difficult to manage and track claims for those who are injured on the job but are no longer employed.
“By providing a high level of supervision for your seasonal personnel, you can reduce the potential for them to be involved in a workplace accident,” Perkins says.
3. A comprehensive, enforced safety program is a must. Not having a program in place increases the likelihood that fraud can be perpetrated successfully.
“Demonstrate to the seasonal employee that your organization has a well-run safety and risk management program,” Perkins advises. “Perform the pre-employment drug test, orient and train the employee, and then aggressively manage the personnel.”
Source: LWCC
