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A preferred worker is a person who has work skills,
work experience, and a desire to return to work after an on-the-job
injury.
A person is designated a preferred worker because he or she has
some measure of permanent disability due to an on-the-job injury.
As a result of the injury, the preferred worker is unable to return
to regular work, at least not without modification.
Sometimes their limitations are minimal and do not create obstacles
in performing most jobs. Sometimes they have significant restrictions,
and worksite modification money available to their employer can
be used to overcome the preferred worker's injury-caused limitations.
Preferred workers have identification cards and can show you they
are eligible to offer Preferred Worker Program benefits.
And what are Preferred
Worker Program Benefits?
All Preferred Worker Program benefits are subject to review and
approval by the Workers' Compensation Division.
Premium Exemption: An employer does not
pay workers' compensation insurance premiums or premium assessments
on a preferred worker for up to three years from the date the worker
starts work.
Claim Cost Reimbursement: This protects
the employer from the costs of a new workers' compensation claim
if the preferred worker has a new injury during the premium exemption
period.
Obtained Employment Purchases: These
are items the worker is required to purchase for the job. These
items must be required of all workers doing the job for which the
worker is employed and must be items not normally provided by the
employer. Purchases may include:
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Tuition,
books and fees for instruction to update existing skills ($1,000
maximum)
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Tools
and equipment mandatory for the job, such as tool starter sets
($2,500 maximum)
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Clothing
required for the job ($400 maximum)
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Moving
expenses for a job within Oregon more than 50 miles from the
worker's primary residence
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Worksite
creation costs to help employer create a new job for the worker
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Miscellaneous
assistance is available to help a worker find, accept, or retain
employment but does not include a vehicle purchase.
Wage
Subsidy: The employer receives 50 percent wage reimbursement for
the preferred worker for six months. Wage subsidy may be used two
times, once each for two different jobs.
Worksite Modification: Modifications can include tools, equipment, and/or worksite redesign needed to overcome injury-caused limitations so the worker can do the job.
They may be used once with one employer and once with a second employer or twice with the same employer if there is a job change. ($25,000 maximum on the claim that qualified the worker for assistance) |
