New York State Workers Compensation Law states that elected
officials are employees...as such, physicals are required. Allegany County Legislator Karl Graves said "it's a liability thing." Wellsville town supervisor Shad Alsworth says he hasn't received a physical...yet. Another local official from the northern end of the county said "this is ridiculous...we're elected...independent-we answer to the voters."
Being considered an employee does have an advantage. The Comptroller's Office requires local government boards to set the hours of work for elected representatives...so they can take advantage of retirement credits.
Heather Bedow is the Executive Secretary for the Workers Compensation Office in Allegany County. She e-mailed the following statement: "The Local Law of The Allegany County Mutual, Self-Insurance
Plan requires pre-employment physicals for any employee of any participant in
the plan. The Personnel Committee
administers the plan & at their discretion may charge a penalty against any
participant that violates any provision of the plan."
It's unclear how many elected officials in Allegany County have not obtained a health exam.
