Summit
Payroll Processing
Allied's payroll processing
is powered by SUMMIT. This is a Web based program
that allows our clients and employees to have
access to an all electronic and paperless payroll
process. Clients may enter time on-line, view
various important payroll reports, direct deposit,
wire transfer, and many other features that
are secure and time saving. For additional information
go to the contact bar and click on any contact
and your question will be answered. We will
be updating the SUMMIT information in the near
future.
Update
10/23/2006
401K
Allied
Employer Group is pleased to announce that
as of November 21, 2005 Morgan Stanley
will provide Financial Services to
our clients and employees. Frank Johnson,
Vice Presdent and Branch Manager and his
team will provide the same outstanding financial
consultant service for your 401(k) investment
needs that they provided in the past. You may
reach them toll free at 866-606-6767 or 325-734-3310.
The Morgan Stanley fax number is 325-670-0142.
Our
Third Party Administrator is
Inwest Pension Management, Inc.
located in Midland, Texas.
The
product provider is still Nationwide
Financial.
For
additional details, please call our office at
1-800-495-3836, or 1-325-695-5822.
Return
to Work
A
New Program to Help Battle the High Cost of
Injuries
Allied
Employer Group has recently implemented a Return
to Work Policy. We feel a proactive approach
to disability management can give you the competitive
edge you need to control injury expenses. At
the same time, it can retain a trained workforce
to maintain your company's productivity. Return-to-Work
Programs play a major role in controlling claim
costs and saving millions of dollars in reduced
time loss payments.
Lost
time injuries are the most expensive injuries,
with cost increasing every day that an injured
worker is not able to work. An early return
to work program can significantly reduce costs
and improve productivity, safety, and employee
morale.
According
to the Texas Workers Compensation Commission,
employers in Texas pay the highest medical costs
associated with workers compensation in the
country. In addition to these costs, it is estimated
that lost time due to on-the-job injuries costs
employers 4% to 6% of total payroll. Successful
return to work programs are reported to reduce
claim costs by as much as 30% to 40%.
In
addition to reducing the likelihood of malingering
and of fraudulent claims, the benefits of a
return to work program are many for both employers
and employees.
Did
you know..............
Injured
workers who are out of work longer than six
months have only a 50% chance of returning to
their job; if time loss exceeds one year, there
is 90% chance they will never return to work.
Return-to-Work reduces medical costs. The injured
worker's recovery time is shortened, and medical
treatment is reduced. Return-to-Work could reduce
legal costs. Workers are less likely to feel
their rights have been violated causing them
to hire legal counsel. Return-to-Work cost reductions
will have a direct impact on loss ratios and
experience modifiers which both ofwhich help
control premium costs over the next three years.
Benefits
to the Employee
*
Recovery time is shortened, accelerating the
employee's return to productive activities
* Shifts focus from disabilities to abilities
* Concerns about continued employment are resolved
* Increases the employee's self esteem
* Shows the employees their contributions are
valued
* Injured workers and their families experience
less disruption to their lives
* Allows the employee to maintain contact and
rapport with staff
* Injured worker maintains job skills
* Keeps the employee active and speeds medical
recovery
* Loss of physical fitness and muscle tone due
to inactivity is prevented
* Feelings of dependency and lack of control
are alleviated.
Benefits
to Employers
*
Company retains the production of skilled and
experienced workers
* Injured workers continue to contribute to
the company
* No overtime is required to make up for lost
production
* Work delays and business interruptions are
eliminated
*Communications and relationships between employees
and
management are enhanced
* No expenses are incurred for recruiting, hiring,
training, or salary of replacement
* The company's interest and concern for employees
are reinforced
* Medical and disability costs are reduced.
* Decreased loss ratios and experience modifiers
facilitate stable premium costs.
Alternate
Dispute Resolution
What
is Alternate Dispute Resolution?
Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR) is designed for resolving
employment disputes privately, confidentially,
and cost effectively out of court by using mediation
and arbitration instead of jury trials.
Why
is ADR needed???
In
recent years, Congress amended Title VII and
passed other laws providing for jury trials
to decide the compensatory and punitive damage
awards in claims of discrimination on basis
of age, race, sex, religion, and national origin,
disability and for sexual harassment. These
laws now expose businesses to greatly increased
risks from all types of lawsuits and potentially
large jury verdicts sometimes based on emotions,
not facts. The results are expensive delays,
wasted management time and energy, large legal
defense fees, years for trials to place on the
dockets, and other problems that can greatly
damage the productivity of any business.
The
Benefits of ADR
Open door policy
Many disputes may be resolved through the "Open
door policy or mediation"
The rights of all parties are respected
State and federal statues and case law support
the ADR alternatives for disputes
The process is confidential - the privacy of
both parties is protected
Defense costs are greatly reduced
Employees enjoy the unique and valuable benefits
of fair and prompt resolution of claims, reduced
costs, informality and flexibility
Arbitration decisions are binding with limited
appeal
Both employers and employees appreciate a more
stable environment
The dispute is settled quickly and fairly by
a qualified mediator or arbitrator
Key
Points
Speed:
Mediation ends the majority of the disputes
usually within 45 days.
Reduced
Cost: Potentially less than
the cost to litigate
Experienced
Arbitrators and Mediators:
Most neutrals are experienced lawyers, former
trial or appeals judges, or have recognized
specialized knowledge
Fair
Process:
The mediation process results in mutually agreed
upon solutions
Based
on facts not emotions:
Arbitration awards, if needed, are made
by professionals based on evidence and the law
Privacy:
Mediations and Arbitrations are private and
confidential, not matters of public record or
"tried" in the news media
