In any informal hearing held by the administrative law judge or chairperson of the Workers’ Compensation Commission in regard to compensation under the provisions of this chapter, any recommendations made by the administrative law judge or chairperson at the informal hearing shall be reduced to writing and, if the parties accept such recommendations, the recommendations shall be as binding upon both parties as an award by the administrative law judge or chairperson. The administrative law judge or chairperson shall not postpone any such informal hearing if one party fails to attend unless both parties agree to the postponement.