Workers Compensation CALL TO ACTION

gtsowi

New member
HI All,

As we all strive to build our business the growing pains of hiring befall us all. Safety, interviewing, taxes, benefits, and and the largest profit eater... Workers Compensation. With our industry changing to become more safe it seems apparent to me we are the only ones who know this. The insurance commissions, state legislators, and risk evaluators obviously do not. With the growing participation with associations that require certifications we can begin to prove that we are taking things seriously. I do understand the difference between subcontracting and hiring. I have hired subcontracts for several years. I am unsure how your state is reacting to misclassified contractors or even the "possibility" of a misclassified 1099 individual. But, here in Wisconsin someone is taking action.

I am unsure of your states requirements and costs for workers compensation, but here in Wisconsin it is $35 per $100 paid to the employee classified as a "window cleaner". An "exterior restoration worker," which includes power washing up to three stories, is $17 per $100. Because I offer all types of services I would still have to classify any employees under "window cleaner."

The classification "window cleaner" includes all types of window cleaning, Wisconsin does not have separate classifications among the identity "window cleaner", such as ground worker, up to three stories, and high rise. With the rising cost in taxes and possibly forced benefits it has become apparent we are not doing our job informing those we work with.

My research has shown I can insure an individual 24/7/365 days a year with heath, disability, and life insurance for the same price as insuring an individual on the job. This also includes any deductibles from a job related incident.


So.... I submit a CALL TO ACTION:

I submit all of us begin working together to spread the word. We have to come together as a group and inform our insurance agents and even further. I have mentioned the petition to a couple of people and thought getting a standard information sheet or brochure would be a great. In order to do this we need to have information.

We need to hear what actions you have considered or implemented for safety, certifications, and if any personal development. Are your companies taking advantage of working with associations, if so why. Are your associations pushing to promote this idea. We also need information such as the cost of having an employee in your state in the perspective classification. Included in the cost would be workers compensation rate, fed taxes, SS, state/local taxes, and any other costs related to having an employee due to regulations.


Thanks for attention on this, and I hope we all come together so we can make a difference.

Please email me any info regarding this so I can begin compiling. sales@get-the-streak-out.com
 
Your out of your "F" ing mind....

Why is it I am out of my mind? I am tired of somone telling us We do not want safe work enviroments. It is obvious that risk evaluators think We are all out in the field in an equal position, and We do not take safety into consideration.

Do you not think this is rediculous for us to hire an individual it will cost 50% more of their wage to keep them on the books. If you think I am out of my mind for that sir I have no clue what your thinking.

I am not asking anyone to drop safety. That is the whole reason I am asking for this call to action. But obviously this type of attitude is the reason why our industry continues to get pounced on.
 
Had the thought of keeping time sheets with tasks peformed separated ever occur to you?

That's what keeps me from paying roof rates on the ground man.


That is a great question. But does not apply in my situation. Window cleaning is the main portion of my businesses work performed. Because I am deversified in both power washing and window cleaning the employee would need to learn both set skills. Thus forcing me to classify him as a window cleaner, until power washing sales increased enough to move him over to strictly power washing.

Wisconsin Does Not classify window cleaning in different stages. Are other states this way? Maybe it is just my state, and one other.

Oh and by the way, We are forced to use the state pool versus the private pool, since "window cleaning" is considered "high risk."
 
That is a great question. But does not apply in my situation. Window cleaning is the main portion of my businesses work performed. Because I am deversified in both power washing and window cleaning the employee would need to learn both set skills. Thus forcing me to classify him as a window cleaner, until power washing sales increased enough to move him over to strictly power washing.

Wisconsin Does Not classify window cleaning in different stages. Are other states this way? Maybe it is just my state, and one other.

Oh and by the way, We are forced to use the state pool versus the private pool, since "window cleaning" is considered "high risk."


Could this Have happened by National Association giving Poor info to Insurance commission? It happens in our industry, a group trying to be Elite want everyone to be Elite or not able to compete Fairly
 
Yes it is on payroll. Thanks for the correction Ron.
 
That is a great question. But does not apply in my situation. Window cleaning is the main portion of my businesses work performed. Because I am deversified in both power washing and window cleaning the employee would need to learn both set skills. Thus forcing me to classify him as a window cleaner, until power washing sales increased enough to move him over to strictly power washing.

Wisconsin Does Not classify window cleaning in different stages. Are other states this way? Maybe it is just my state, and one other.

Oh and by the way, We are forced to use the state pool versus the private pool, since "window cleaning" is considered "high risk."


Don't classify the employee but rather the task. different pay scale/class on the paycheck stub can aid in the workers comp percentage taken. My cleaning service has girls working inside cleaning furniture and sinks.(WC rate is $3.45/$100) But if I need them for pressure Washing, I still use them and we have a different rate when calling in payroll.
This way, you are classifying the hours not the human.
Example, we call in hours to payroll and state employee X worked 32 hours at cleaning pay scale and 8 hours at pressure washing pay scale. The different pay scales are calculated differently for WC. Good accounting can help when audited by WC.

Same goes for roof cleaning. If a worker only has 3 hours on a roof this week, I am not going to pay the WC rate for roof cleaning on the other 37 hours pressure washing.
 
Don't classify the employee but rather the task. different pay scale/class on the paycheck stub can aid in the workers comp percentage taken. My cleaning service has girls working inside cleaning furniture and sinks.(WC rate is $3.45/$100) But if I need them for pressure Washing, I still use them and we have a different rate when calling in payroll.
This way, you are classifying the hours not the human.
Example, we call in hours to payroll and state employee X worked 32 hours at cleaning pay scale and 8 hours at pressure washing pay scale. The different pay scales are calculated differently for WC. Good accounting can help when audited by WC.

Same goes for roof cleaning. If a worker only has 3 hours on a roof this week, I am not going to pay the WC rate for roof cleaning on the other 37 hours pressure washing.

I get the impression the state won't allow it.


Text me anytime for question 480-522-5227
 
Some workmens comp insurance is ridiculous. I used our State Fund for years, because it was designed for small business, etc. We took our payroll to ADP and as soon as we did, they got us on their group plan, and our prices dropped by a ridiculous amount, I am thinking about 75%. It more then paid for any payroll processing fees.
I tried to get my wife to go ADP for years, and when she did, she wishes she would have done it years ago.
 
Really Scott? How many employees are required for this?
 
Don't classify the employee but rather the task. different pay scale/class on the paycheck stub can aid in the workers comp percentage taken. My cleaning service has girls working inside cleaning furniture and sinks.(WC rate is $3.45/$100) But if I need them for pressure Washing, I still use them and we have a different rate when calling in payroll.
This way, you are classifying the hours not the human.
Example, we call in hours to payroll and state employee X worked 32 hours at cleaning pay scale and 8 hours at pressure washing pay scale. The different pay scales are calculated differently for WC. Good accounting can help when audited by WC.

Same goes for roof cleaning. If a worker only has 3 hours on a roof this week, I am not going to pay the WC rate for roof cleaning on the other 37 hours pressure washing.



This is good advice. I am getting some good info here. I am just concerned that we as a group, "mobile contractors," are letting others dictate to us what we should be paying. Seems as though those determining the pricing are being lobbied and/or uniformed.
 
Some workmens comp insurance is ridiculous. I used our State Fund for years, because it was designed for small business, etc. We took our payroll to ADP and as soon as we did, they got us on their group plan, and our prices dropped by a ridiculous amount, I am thinking about 75%. It more then paid for any payroll processing fees.
I tried to get my wife to go ADP for years, and when she did, she wishes she would have done it years ago.

You know Nce got APD discounts ?


Text me anytime for question 480-522-5227
 
i live in ny and the w/comp insurance is stupid expense for pressure washing alot of company would even right it . looking all the time for a cheaper w/c .
 
i live in ny and the w/comp insurance is stupid expense for pressure washing alot of company would even right it . looking all the time for a cheaper w/c .
Good luck even finding one Bob.
I have NYSIF WC and it 23% of payroll. To tell you how ridiculous it is with some of this insurance nightmare when I was a 1 man show you don't by law need to have WC as a sole proprietor here whereas liability insurance you must have.....but....to get any Commercial work even as a 1 man show you wouldn't get hired without proving you had your own WC policy. So because of that I had WC for many yrs now because the storefronts I did alone was still worth this rotten expense that I wasn't required to have to get steady work for myself.

A good accountant(definitely worth the expense) knows what to do to lighten the blow that us business guys have to deal with for us to be able to make it. By that I mean he knows exactly what you can and can not write off and he can even advise you on things you can do legally to help you not get banged so hard over the head with all your hard earned money flying out the window.
 
With Wisconsin once you develop a 'history' your rates will drop but the first year or two is a killer. Check your classification you may be able to switch to Janitorial which encompasses windows and pressure washing. Since you are not specifically doing just one you may fit into this classification. You can also separate the employees payroll for job duties. I do not pay the same rate for Bill who is considered office personnel as I do for my wash guys in the field. If you are the employee tiring to be covered you can also 'exempt' yourself if you are a corp or s-corp (not sure about an llc.) If you are having issues getting the right rate give me a call and I get you may insurance agents # he will help you get the right coverage and classification.
 
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