Employees working overseas are covered by WSI for 30 days

For any work related injury, UND employees traveling and working outside the U.S. for more than 30 days will only be covered by ND Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) from the day they leave through the 30th day. If outside the U.S. for more than 30 days, employees must obtain coverage in the country they will be working. Employees must work with their host or through the private markets in regard to obtaining workers compensation coverage. It is important to comply with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction. Where there is a receiving or collaborative institution in the foreign country, it should be a fairly simple and straight forward process to ask for assistance from the foreign institution.

In those situations where there is no workers compensation system or the foreign system is not applicable, coverage can be obtained through WSI. WSI must be provided documentation specific to the country or region in which the employee will be traveling prior to the employee leaving the U.S. Documentation must be current and must show that coverage in the jurisdiction the employee will be working in is not available through the host institution or in the private market.

This documentation can best be accomplished by providing a statement from the host or an insurance provider that workers compensation is not available. In addition, WSI will require name, type of work being done while in the foreign country, and dates of the out of country exposure. The Working Outside the U.S. form must be completed whether the employee is covered by workers compensation by the host institution, private market, or through WSI if working outside the U.S. for more than 30 days. This form and instructions are on web site: http://safety.und.edu/riskmanagement/index.html.

Prior to travel, submit the completed form to Campus Safety & Security at Stop 9031 or e-mail to corrinnekjelstrom@mail.und.edu.

These are the components of a worker’s compensation policy you will need when seeking workers compensation coverage: medical, time loss wages, permanent/partial disability, and re-training.

All employees traveling overseas are also covered under the Foreign Travel Policy provided by North Dakota Risk Management Division. Visit www.nd.gov/risk/travel for more information. The Foreign Travel Policy does not cover work related injuries.

Any questions or concerns, please contact Corrinne Kjelstrom at 777-2785.

Corrinne Kjelstrom, insurance specialist/office manager, Campus Safety & Security, 777-2785, corrinnekjelstrom@mail.und.edu.