Report to Small Employers: State Unemployment Compensation and Workers'Compensation Programs: A Review of Major Legislative Changes, Program Costs and Suggested Reforms

摘要

State unemployment compensation and workers' compensation programs are intendedto insure against the interruption of income due to the loss of a job, either because of temporary layoff or inability to work as a result of an injury or illness in connection with work. The objective of the study is to identify those provisions of the unemployment compensation and workers' compensation programs which can significantly impact on cost to employers. The study, where possible, attempts to highlight issues that specifically apply to small businesses. Also highlighted are issues/changes that are significant to the entire business community. The Foundation has research the provisions of each state's unemployment compensation and workers' compensation laws and reviewed all major changes made over the ten year period 1984-1993. A state-by-state summary of these changes during the last four years, 1990-93, is provided. The Foundation's suggested 'desirable provisions' are the result of this analysis. For each state, the 'total cost' of benefit payments is reported for each program during the last ten years for which data are available (1984-1993).