Workers Compensation Reduction In GA

Small Businesses in Georgia have another incentive to stay in Georgia according to a new law.

Starting July 1, 2016 small businesses can get their workers compensation insurance reduced by 5 percent if they implement work based learning pursuant to Article 12 of Chapter 9 of Title 34.

In order for the 5 percent reduction to kick in the State Board of Education has to certify to the State Board of Workers Compensation that your business has implemented work based learning.  The recertification has to be renewed each year.

Work based learning placement' or 'placement' means an arrangement between a business or industry partner and a local school system in which students are released for a portion of the school day for structured learning at an employer's job site in either a paid or unpaid position while receiving academic credit.  Work based learning placements  include, but are not limited to, employability skill development, service learning,  cooperative education, internship, youth apprenticeship, and clinical experiences.

In order to participate in work based learning programs students must be of age 16 or older.

Students must be of age 16 or older to participate in a work based learning program.

Students in a paid work based learning program must are considered an employee and are subject to workers compensation coverage.

Students in an unpaid work based learning program are also considered an employee and are subject to workers compensation coverage unless one of the following conditions apply:

(A) The placement, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;

(B) The placement is for the benefit of the student;

(C) The student does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;

(D) The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the student; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;

(E) The student is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the placement; and

(F) The employer and the student understand that the student is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the placement."

Sources:
Georgia House Bill 402

By Bill Williams