Bridging a Gap in the Workers' Compensation System: A Scale Development and Validation of an Employee Workers' Compensation Experience Scale

Abstract

When accidents occur, employees rely on the workers' compensation system to provide continuing wages and medical benefits. This study addresses a fundamental workers’ compensation gap—the lack of an Employee Workers’ Compensation Experience (EWCE) scale. While current metrics monitor direct costs, they often overlook the psycho-social impacts on employees. The study introduces a structured EWCE scale that encompasses dimensions of claim communication, psychological and emotional impacts, and uncertainty regarding the claim outcome. The EWCE scales relevance is emphasized by its ability to predict turnover intentions, burnout, and obligations to come to work sick outcomes. Discriminate, convergent, and predictive validity tests corroborate the scales' effectiveness. These findings allow employers, policymakers, and researchers to create a safer, more inclusive work environment by measuring and monitoring workers' compensation claim outcomes. This scale bridges the critical knowledge gap and offers an analytical tool to enhance workers' compensation policies and outcomes.