“Included” Should Mean Included — Not Assumed
One of the most overlooked questions employers ask too late is exactly what workers’ comp coverage applies when a temp worker is injured on-site. It’s a fair question — and the answer should be clear before a worker ever arrives, not sorted out after an incident.
How Workers’ Comp Typically Works With Staffing Agencies
- The staffing agency is typically the employer of record for workers’ comp purposes, meaning their policy covers the placed worker, not the client company’s
- The client company is still responsible for maintaining a safe worksite, regardless of who technically carries the coverage
- Coverage should be confirmed, not assumed — a certificate of insurance is a reasonable thing to request before workers start on your site
What This Means in Practice
When a placed worker is injured, the claim generally runs through the staffing agency’s workers’ comp policy rather than becoming a direct liability on the client company’s own coverage or experience modifier. That’s one of the practical advantages of using temporary staffing for higher-risk roles — but it only holds if the staffing agency actually carries adequate, current coverage.
What to Confirm Before Workers Arrive
Ask for proof of workers’ comp coverage as a standard part of onboarding a staffing partner, not a special request. A staffing agency that includes this without extra cost, and can provide documentation promptly, is one that’s built the protection into their standard offering rather than treating it as optional.
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