Kentucky's workers' compensation act finally brings the pendulum of public policy to rest at the center. The law has been successful thus far in protecting the interests of truly injured workers, providing awarded benefits more quickly, and restoring competitive costs to employers. The Kentucky Chamber will continue to monitor the implementation of the act to ensure that it meets our criteria for fairness. If information becomes available on the impact of the law which demonstrates the need for change, the Chamber will evaluate all proposals based on whether they clearly define injury and disability, require objective medical findings of impairment for cash awards, and reduce litigation and injured workers' attorney fees. The Chamber urges that no consideration for changing the law occur until such time that comprehensive data is available to make an educated judgment, and that any proposal for change be fully supported by objective analysis and not anecdote or isolated occurrences.
Kentucky employers invest significantly in creating and sustaining safe workplaces.
Because companies are concerned about the welfare of their people while on the job, the Chamber will support efforts to ensure that references or other factual, documented workplace behavior can be shared between employers when an individual uses a former employer as a reference. The Chamber will seek to create uniformity and clarity in sections of the law which are vague, contradictory, or unfair for employers and employees. The chamber will evaluate any proposal based on whether it clearly defines injury and disability, requires objective medical findings of impairment for cash awards, and reduces litigation and attorney fees. Employee choice - the Chamber supports the right of an employee to choose whether or not to join a union at the workplace. Additionally, the Chamber will support legislation to prohibit the requirement that employers withhold a portion of an employee's salary to support the political activities of unions.