Kyle ThompsonApril 15, 2011

Masters of Public Administration University of Alaska, Anchorage

SummaryProblem: Employers failing to provide Workers’

Compensation InsuranceBackground: What is Workers’ CompensationImpact: Why this is importantResearch: Industry, region, and area recordsResults: Identifying regions, industries, and

communities where employers’ fail

Problem StatementCompulsory InsuranceCurrent EffortsIssuesImpact

Employers’ who fail to insure jeopardize employee’s safety and security

BackgroundThe Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act

Quick, efficient, fair, and predictable delivery of benefits to injured workers’

Scope of research

Literature ReviewCommon frauds associated with Workers’

Compensation Insurance

Employers often fail to purchase workers' compensation insurance, despite state laws mandating coverage

Census BureauDepartment of Labor Research and Analysis

Research MethodologyAlaska Division of Workers’ Compensation: Primary

data source identifying uninsured employers

Data codified and reinforced

Data shows frequency of failure to insure by;IndustryCommunityRegion

Research Findings

Research Findings

Research Findings

Research Findings

Management Policy OptionsSubstantial employment, no record of failure to

insure Nome, Gateway, Unalaska, Kotzebue, Dillingham

Perfect compliance or undetected failure to insureOption 1

Examination of identified areas and businessesIndustries addressed by relative risk of injuryEfficient use of resources

Management Policy Options

Option 2Increased education to Alaskan employers &

employeesIncremental educational plan

Stage 1: Review of current materials and venues Prong 1: Shore up gaps & identify current points of contact Prong 2: Informing workers’ of their rights & anonymous

reportingStage 2: Coordinate with other state agenciesStage 3: Integration of education and prevention

ConclusionGreatest Failure Rate

Smaller employersHigh density of economic activity

Areas Needing Follow-upSmaller Areas (Census Area)

Nome, Gateway, Unalaska, Kotzebue, DillinghamIndustries

Accommodation & Food Services, Transportation & Warehousing, Trade, & Other Services

Regions (Borough) North Slope, Juneau, Bethel, & Fairbanks

Questions?