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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)
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