Job Description

The Workers’ Compensation Specialist is the designated point of contact for processing and managing all workplace injury claims for all US operations. Leads all aspects of Western Digital’s Workers’ Compensation Program including insurance policy placement, reviewing and processing claims, participating in settlement negotiations, recommending loss control strategies, ensuring program conformance to applicable laws and regulations, preparing required reports, and monitoring and evaluating the program activities to ensure the delivery of quality services.

Coordinates and provides updates to stakeholders on claim progression, work restrictions and return to work status. Coordinates treatment of employee injuries between medical clinics and Western Digital to ensure effective communication of workplace injuries.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Meets with employees who become ill or injured at work, and explains the workers’ compensation process
• Coordinates placement of all workers’ compensation policies
• Maintains self-insured status in California
• Completes or coordinates the completion of accident/injury reports
• Maintains records of all workers’ compensation claims, including leave duration tracking, injury/illness records, claim status and claim frequency
• Provides process guidance and updates to managers of employees who are unable to work due to lost time injuries/illnesses
• Prepares and maintains OSHA logs; keeps abreast of changing OSHA regulations and standards
• Works with Toxicology/Hygiene/Safety professionals to identify environmental factors and/or stresses in or from the workplace that may cause sickness, impaired health or discomfort among the employees
• Acts as a liaison between WD management, insurance companies, medical clinics, third party’ compensation claims administrator and outside law firms for workers’ compensation claims
• Works with an employee’s supervisor and HR Business Partner to evaluate leaves of absence and benefit issues while the employee is on a workers’ compensation leave
• Assists in the administration of training programs regarding occupational safety and health, including emergency response; first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; hearing conservation; respiratory protection; and hazardous material control
• Aids with on-site inspections to audit physical conditions and safe work practices
• Assists in the evaluation of workstations/areas for ergonomics, air contamination, noise, sanitation, and hazardous chemical issues
• Participates in Safety Committee Meetings, and provides information and guidance to management and line supervisors about safety management responsibilities

Qualifications

Education and Experience Profile

Any combination equivalent to, but not limited to, the following:

• Education Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree (alternatively a significant number of years of experience in the workers’ compensation arena)
  • Relevant Certification in Workers’ Compensation / OSHA Guidelines
• At least 5 years of relevant experience

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong  knowledge of workers’ compensation claim processes and procedures
• Strong knowledge of federal and state OSHA requirements
• Strong knowledge of workers’ compensation policy placement
• Thorough knowledge of databases and/or recordkeeping systems
• Strong ability to collect, organize and maintain information for purposes of recordkeeping compliance and trend/data analysis
• Ability to maintains skills and knowledge of regulatory and legal issues related to OSHA and Workers’ Compensation through attendance of professional meetings, seminars, course work and professional publications
• Strong people skills sufficient to work well with subordinates, peers and senior managers
• Ability to build a full understanding of industry practices and company policies and procedures and resolves a wide range of issues in imaginative as well as practical ways
• Outstanding communication skills both verbal and written to present complex/controversial ideas and recommendations in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to respond effectively to verbal or written inquiries
• Ability to read and interpret legal requirements
• Strong ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Strong ability to interpret data on reports and reach valid conclusions
• Ability to work with sensitive employee data and maintain privacy and confidentiality
• Ability to counsel others to effectively interact with all levels of employees on workers’ compensation and legal matters
• Strong ability to remain calm in confrontational or tense situations