SFM’s November 2024 workers’ compensation webinar, De-escalation in the workplace.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed Nov. 18-23, 2024, as Kids’ Chance Awareness Week.

While most states have laws that bar employers from terminating or disciplining an employee solely based on them being on workers’ compensation or in response to their experiencing a work injury, there are conditions under which such an employee may be let go.

SFM has compiled a wealth of resources to help keep employees safe during winter. Be sure to share these resources with your safety leaders, employees and others.

SFM participated in the Midwest Women in Safety Conference 2024, presenting information on virtual reality (VR) and safety training.

Workplace violence can take many forms, including any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation and other threatening disruptive behavior.

Here are four ideas for cutting back on sitting time and adding movement to your day.

SFM takes a look back at the experience of its summer interns.

There are several benefits to working with a work comp expert, especially considering some of the industry developments in recent years.

Cody Allen, SFM Territory Manager, has been elected to the governing board at the Indiana Compensation Rating Bureau (ICRB).

New employees are among the most likely to be injured on the job. Here are several resources to keep new employees safe.

SFM uses several methods to help bring down policyholders' experience modification.

You can now see whether your customers have submitted their premium audit information in SFM Agency Manager (SAM).

General contractors or contractors who sub-contract work to independent contractors should remember to have the sub-contracted individuals complete the South Dakota Affidavit of Exempt Status form.

Set for Nov. 7, the foundation's 2024 fall event will be held at the Westin Edina Galleria in Edina, Minn.

In October 2024, SFM made it easier for injured workers to connect with the company by adding a new texting feature.

This is the final piece in our four-part series of SFM blogs recapping our June 2024 webinar, Driving Safety, An SFM webinar for policyholders.

This is the third in a four-part series of SFM blogs recapping our driving safety webinar.

What does the workers’ compensation claims process look like following a driving incident?

Start with the basics in workers’ compensation by avoiding common injuries. These three featured resources will help you get started.

The Workplace Bullying Institute estimates that 60.3 million U.S. workers are affected by bullying. Here are tips to prevent it in your workplace.

The first in a four-part series about safe driving: Data on dangerous driving from SFM's Driving Safety webinar.

Creating an organizational culture where everyone is dedicated to building and maintaining a safe work environment requires commitment to safety from the top down. It’s everyone’s job to set an example and make safety part of the foundation of your organization.

Employees are at higher risk of injuries during their first six months on the job, according to SFM claim data. Effectively training new employees on safety can be challenging, but it’s key to protecting and retaining quality employees.

Why older workers are more at risk for workers’ comp injuries, and four tips for preventing injuries among older workers.

Building relationships with the local doctors most likely to treat your injured workers lays the groundwork for teamwork between you, the physician and your insurer.

Preventing hand injuries in the workplace is vital for a number of reasons.

Here are some steps employers can take to improve workers’ compensation practices and save time and money.

Report claims as soon as possible and keep an open line of communication with your SFM claims representative.

SFM has a wealth of resources related to school safety.

Catch up on the 2024 SFM Foundation golf events and mark your calendar for the Iowa and Minnesota fall events.

An update on SFM's market share, midyear 2024.

Employers may wonder how these statutes intersect with workers’ compensation benefits.

There are several state OSHA fines to be aware of, in addition to federal standards.

Billing changes due to endorsements can catch policyholders off guard. When agents receive a notice of an endorsement, they can help ease the concerns of policyholders by alerting them right away.

A new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rule regarding who qualifies as an independent contractor took effect in the spring of 2024.

Promotional videos about SFM are available on YouTube.

The recording of SFM’s recent webinar on safe driving and the implications for workers’ compensation is now available for agents and clients.

You can find a wealth of information on current policies in SFM Agency Manager (SAM), including the upcoming e-mod for policies that are renewing soon.

2024 golf events in Minnesota and Iowa raised more than $160,000. In total, more than 260 golfers came out for the events, and sponsors continued to help bolster the fundraising effort.

SFM is attending several industry events during the summer and fall of 2024.

Here’s a look at the latest updates and milestones for SFM’s underwriting staff over the past few months of 2024.

SFM Mutual Insurance Co. announced today that the Star Tribune has ranked the workers’ compensation insurer as the eighth best place to work among midsize employers in Minnesota for 2024.

Aponte will bring her financial expertise to the nonprofit hospital group — she’s volunteering as a Community Member on the Children’s Minnesota Hospital investment subcommittee.

Supporting an aging workforce benefits everyone

Register for Driving Safety, an SFM webinar for policyholders, set for 10-11 a.m. CDT Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

A number of changes to Minnesota's workers' compensation law go into effect in 2024. Gov. Tim Walz signed the bill on May 8, 2024. The legislation contains 50 sections with amendments to chapter 176, many of which are technical or cleanup provisions recommended by the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Strong return-to-work programs lead to better outcomes for injured workers and can help control workers’ compensation premium costs for employers.

Warm weather is not without its own risks, especially for people who work outdoors. Watch out for tripping hazards, heat stress, severe weather and insects.

More than 43,000 Americans died in a traffic-related incident in 2022, a number that has been on the rise in recent years. Defensive driving and other safe driving techniques are learned habits. Here are some tips to help equip employees and yourself with the knowledge you need to be safer on the roads.

Total Worker Health offers an integrated approach to worker health, safety and well-being with a proactive approach to overall health and wellness.

If you use CompOnline, you can create customized reports on your workers’ compensation claims.

While injuries commonly occur when lifting or moving is involved, implementing a program that focuses on proper ergonomics can greatly reduce incidents. Challenges with larger muscle groups (primarily the back and shoulders) are often easier to identify and control than those associated with repetitive motion risk factors.

Of the 232 scholarships the SFM Foundation has awarded over the years, nearly 95 percent have gone to students whose parents’ employers were not covered for workers’ compensation by SFM Companies. In fact, the SFM Foundation does not consider the work comp insurer when awarding scholarships. We aim to serve the entire community, and more than 60 different insurance companies have had scholarships awarded by our program.

Learn how policyholders should report injuries to SFM, what to do after reporting an injury and how to plan ahead before an injury happens. Employers can also access tools to help them manage their claims, pay their bill online, complete a premium audit, download certificates of insurance, access resources and webinars, report wages and more.

Every SFM policyholder undergoes an annual insurance premium audit after each policy period. Learn what to expect and how to prepare. See answers to frequently asked questions.

SFM announced that its Financial Strength Rating of “A- (Excellent)” and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” have been reaffirmed by AM Best Rating Services, Inc.

SFM has become a member of the Minnesota Keystone Program, which promotes corporate philanthropy by recognizing and honoring companies that donate at least 2 percent of their pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations.

Learn about commercial comparative raters, which comparative raters SFM is connected with, and how you can request access to utilize SFM in the commercial comparative rater.

If you are an appointed agency with SFM and your agency uses one of the platforms for commercial comparative rating that SFM is connected to, use this form to request access if you are interested in utilizing SFM in the commercial comparative rater.

Sarah Hunter recently took over as SFM’s VP of Operations. She will work with SFM’s current Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Dave Kaiser, until his retirement at the end of 2024.

SFM recorded yet another excellent year in 2023, continuing its strong performance across all core metrics, from policyholder retention to new business and total written premium.

SFM has made several enhancements to its resource catalog to create a better user experience for policyholders and agents.

SFM recently made additional enhancements to its SFM Agency Manager (SAM) system to streamline the process for agents and make SAM more user friendly.

While agents often hear frustrations from clients when it comes to dealing with third-party vendors for premium audits, SFM continues to conduct nearly all audits in-house.

Remind policyholders to tell injured workers to register for our Claim Connection portal so they can track the progress of their claim.

A look at the latest updates and milestones for SFM’s underwriting staff over the past few months.

SFM is planning to participate in several 2024 industry events in the coming months.

SFM tapped the local art community when adding artwork to its remodeled offices.

A fall from a ladder can be devastating, so take the time to make sure your ladder is in good shape with these ladder inspection safety tips.

You may have questions about whether your business is required to submit information to OSHA electronically, and what information you will need to submit.

When making the case for wellness programs, measuring both ROI and VOI will illustrate the impact the program has on your organization.

SFM is making upgrades to its online MyPayroll system with new features and a streamlined process to make it even easier for policyholders to complete annual premium audits.

Slips and falls can happen to anyone. Doing what you can to make your floors more slip resistant is one way you can prevent workplace injuries.

While office jobs are generally considered safer than others, they do have their own unique hazards. Here are seven tips for office workers to prevent workplace injuries.

SFM Foundation will be accepting scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 academic year until March 31, 2024.

Choosing to pay a workers' compensation medical bill yourself can create a ripple effect of future problems.

In some cases, automobile accidents are covered by workers’ compensation. Here’s what to if you’re involved in a work-related car accident.

If your organization treats workplace safety and wellness as two separate initiatives, maybe it's time to start thinking about the connections between the two.

Opioid painkiller misuse not only threatens the general well-being of employees, but can create on-the-job safety risks and inhibit recovery and return-to-work.

Employers have some control over workers’ compensation premiums. Here are our best tips for controlling your losses, and as a result, your premiums.

Snow and ice can cause severe injuries at any time throughout the winter season.

An employer's legal marijuana safety and impairment policy options may depend on the level of operations the company has with the federal government.

Asking job candidates about past work injuries, disabilities or medical histories isn't appropriate under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or state laws.

The numerous benefits of a positive workplace make a compelling case for building a supportive, affirming work environment where employee happiness is valued.

Employees in a variety of occupations can find themselves in situations with the potential to become violent at work. De-escalation tactics can be used to defuse volatile situations so they don’t reach the point of violence.

Registration is now open for the SFM Foundation 2024 Minnesota and Iowa golf fundraisers. The Minnesota golf event is scheduled for Monday, June 10, at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, and the Iowa event is set for Monday, May 20, at Hyperion Golf Club in Johnston.

Learn about our career areas and the progression of common insurance jobs. It’s our mission at SFM to inspire safer workplaces by protecting workers from harm and helping the injured recover. Our employees live this mission every day no matter what their role is within the organization. Check out the many rewarding career paths available at SFM.

We believe that building a truly inclusive culture is essential for all our employees. Learn about diversity, equity and inclusion and SFM.

Key takeaways and highlights from 2023 at SFM from President & CEO Terry Miller.

SFM is diversifying and expanding its footprint in the realm of workers’ compensation insurance.

With winter in full swing — and the upcoming thawing and refreezing cycles in the months ahead — workplace safety should be paramount.

SFM recently hosted another educational webinar for our policyholders and agents on hiring and onboarding, which is available to view on our website.

SFM’s online resource catalog offers a wide range of educational resources designed to help policyholders prevent injuries, manage their claim activity and learn more about workers’ compensation.

SFM is introducing multi-factor authentication and new password requirements.

Updates and milestones for SFM’s underwriting staff in the last quarter of 2023.

SFM is attending several 2024 industry events.

SFM’s pay-as-you-go wage reporting system allows policyholders to make premium payments that match with payroll throughout the year.

As rates for other lines of insurance climb, workers’ compensation rates are steadily decreasing. The explanation for this positive trend is simple – workers’ compensation claim frequency has declined for all but two of the past 20 years, according to NCCI.

Peter Lindquist has been part of the legal team at SFM since 2018. He has been a practicing attorney for several years. We asked Lindquist to share a little bit about his background and role.