News Digest 9-2-2021

 

Are professional wrestlers employees?

In the potentially dangerous spectacle of WWE pro wrestling, performers work without workers’ comp or other recourse. Mary Catena, a scholar and attorney, studies the issue. Legal Talk Network [with audio]

 

New CEO points to bright future for Oregon workers’ comp company

SAIF paid out $210 million in dividends to its policyholders in July, the second since the start of the pandemic, but the uncertainty of the past 16 months has left Chip Terhune, who took the reins July 1 as SAIF president and CEO, knowing there is no straight line to success. Oregon Business

 

Safety stand-downs planned for Suicide Prevention Week

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that men working in construction have one of the highest suicide rates compared to other industries. Their rate of suicide is about four times higher than the general population. The Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down, September 6-10, is intended to raise awareness about the unique challenges construction workers face. EC&M

 

Four things to know about COVID ‘long-haulers’ at work

The growing recognition that COVID-19 leaves some people with long-term symptoms adds another layer of challenges for employers, whether federal regulators ultimately decide the virus qualifies as a disability or not, writes Carole A. Spink of McDermott Will & Emery. Whether it’s assessing leave requests or considering the prospect of reasonable accommodations for COVID-19 long-haulers, it behooves employers to meticulously document and memorialize as much information as possible in case any disputes arise down the line. Lexology