Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Amanda Terry, Director of Legal Services for the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation, shares a legislative update at BWC's Educational Conference in 2023.
BWC Employees Have Created a Culture of Caring by Supporting Businesses, Injured Workers, and One Another
By Karen Grigsby
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has created a culture of caring — for businesses, injured workers, and its own employees.
BWC’s mission is to help employers and employees minimize the impact of work-related injuries.
One way the agency does this is through its annual educational conference, which was held in Murfreesboro last month.
About 520 people attended the conference, which included 70 exhibitors, general information sessions, as well as tracks geared toward employers, medical professionals, attorneys, and adjusters.
Each year during the conference, BWC holds a fundraiser for Kids’ Chance, a nonprofit that provides scholarships and support to children of workers who are seriously injured or killed on the job.
This year attendees could purchase $30 vouchers for bowling and laser tag at Main Event or bid on items in a silent auction to benefit Kids’ Chance.
In addition to the annual conference, BWC also offers valuable resources for employers through the REWARD (Return Employees to Work and Reduce Disabilities) program, including an online toolkit, free training, a newsletter, and quarterly meetings. The tools allow employers to design effective return-to-work strategies, helping injured employees safely resume work while maintaining productivity.
BWC also offers a training program for Tennessee physicians to help them navigate workers’ compensation laws and understand best practices in treating injured workers.
REWARD has proved to be a “win-win” for workers and businesses, BWC Assistant Administrator Suzy Douglas said.
“When you put all those pieces together, you have injured workers who may be assigned restrictions and things they can’t do, but the focus of the program is to concentrate on what they can do and transition them back as soon as it’s safe, which is good for the employer,” she said.
BWC Earns Another Top Workplaces Award
While BWC assists injured workers, the agency also makes sure to take care of its own employees.
Last month BWC once again earned a Top Workplaces award from The Tennessean.
The award is based solely on employee feedback through a survey administered by industry research company Energage.
BWC ranked 14th among the 55 small companies that were recognized this year. Other state agencies — including the Tennessee Office of the Comptroller, which ranked first among large companies, and the Department of General Services — also were named Top Workplaces.
For BWC leaders, who promote a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, the award isn’t unexpected.
“Our average employee has been with the agency for over 14 years, and I think that speaks volumes,” said Administrator Troy Haley, who has worked at BWC since 2007. “People like working here, they like working with each other, and they feel like they’re doing something positive.”
Employees attend the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation's annual Christmas party.
‘A Very Supportive, Collaborative Group’
For many employees, job satisfaction is based on more than just a paycheck. They want to feel valued, too.
The Top Workplaces survey asked employees 25 questions that covered topics such as pay and benefits, as well as intangibles like direction, meaningfulness, and appreciation. A percentage of employees had to complete the survey, and companies were scored based on the responses.
At BWC, hard work is rewarded. Employees are encouraged to learn new skills, and supervisors are open to feedback.
“I do feel like it’s a very supportive, collaborative group,” said Douglas, who began working at BWC in 1992. “I’ve been in this new role for four or five months now, and I feel like everyone wants me to succeed. … They all want everyone to be successful, and they set you up for success.”
A highlight for Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation employees is the annual chili cookoff. "It's pretty stiff competition, and emotions run high during that," BWC Administrator Troy Haley said.
‘We’re a Family Here’
Amid the serious work of conferences and claims, BWC employees make time for fun team-building activities, too.
Every October, BWC holds a chili cookoff, and the competition can get heated. Prizes are given for the best chili, cornbread, and dessert.
Haley calls it “the preeminent chili event in state government” and says it’s a personal favorite.
BWC also holds quarterly birthday celebrations and a Christmas party that includes recognizing longtime employees for their service. There are also games and wellness activities, including a step challenge that coincides with March Madness.
BWC also produces an internal newsletter called The Comp Courier. Employees share personal stories and accomplishments, such as one woman’s breast cancer journey, and submit photos of their children and pets. The newsletter also includes trivia, TV and podcast recommendations, and a Kudos Corner, in which employees praise the work of their colleagues.
It all adds up to an environment where employees feel supported and appreciated.
“We’re a family here. It’s occasionally a dysfunctional family, like any other family,” Haley said. “But I think we all generally get along and like each other and value what the other one does, and it’s definitely a team effort.”
FOCUS is a publication of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.