Employees who are present, healthy, and doing a good job make an enormous difference to the success, morale, and most importantly the bottom line.
Research by the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) shows the longer an employee is away from work, the lower their chance is of returning.
Follow these top five strategies for helping a worker achieve a successful stay-at-work / return-to-work or to resolve workplace challenges related to illness, injury, or accommodation needs.
Vocational Assessment
Do you ever question whether an employee is in the right job? Do they have the skills to be successful in that job? What else are they capable of? A Vocational Assessment will provide you with the answers to these questions and more. It will identify what strengths and aptitudes the employee has, and determine suitable job options. It will help you and the employee to determine the best fit, training needs, and next steps.
Functional Assessment
An employee is ready to return to work but you are both uncertain if they can return to their job, or how to help them return successfully. A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) assesses the employee’s physical, cognitive, and psychological abilities and compares them to the demands of the required job. The process will help you identify whether they can return to that job and the modifications or accommodations required to be successful. The FCE will also help to identify other jobs that may be a fit.
Ergonomic Assessments
Are ergonomic changes worth the cost? Yes, absolutely! Not only are ergonomics good for your business, it’s great for your people. Studies have revealed that ergonomics have improved business goals like cost savings, productivity, and product quality, leading companies to integrate ergonomics into all of their operations.
An Ergonomic Assessment identifies ergonomic barriers in the work environment and makes recommendations on how to overcome the barriers using education, new methods for conducting the work, and assistive devices. The benefits of proper ergonomics in the workplace are: reduced absenteeism; injury prevention; ability to stay at work; and faster return-to-work all of which positively impacts productivity.
Workplace Modifications
Did you know that more than half of all workplace accommodations cost less than $500.00, and many are little or no cost? In some situations specialized technology, equipment, or workstations are required. Understanding legislation that relates to an employers duty to accommodate is also important. Workplace accommodations go a long way to stop small issues from becoming large and keeping employees healthy and productive at work. Specialists in this area are available to assist employers to understand obligations and best practices for accommodating employees in need. Often simple workplace modifications can increase the likelihood that an employee can stay at work or return to work earlier.
Functional Coaching
Return-to-work coaching is another option to help to reduce the duration of time lost from work or productivity on the job by developing a detailed, personalized strategy that benefits both the employee and employer. A qualified return-to-work Coach works closely with the employer and employee to assess the employees’ abilities and limitations in order to provide the most appropriate plan and recommendations. The Coach will leave the employee and employer with improved strategies for on-the-job problem solving, leading to improved job maintenance and attendance.
Agilec has 19 offices across Ontario and over 30 years of experience providing Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work Programs, Vocational Assessment, and Disability Management. Agilec has numerous accredited Vocational Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Coordinators and our best practice results come from the vast expertise of each team member assigned to the uniqueness of each client. We work closely with insurers, rehabilitation companies, government agencies, employers, and legal firms.
To obtain more information on transitioning an employee back to work or receive a quote, please contact us at 1-800-361-4642 or email us here.
