I’ve been in business 14 years as of Thanksgiving, 2012 providing disability management services to numerous companies in Ontario.  Time has passed very quickly but unfortunately we still rely too heavily on the disability management process as the answer to reducing absenteeism and managing costs.

The problem with disability management is that it lacks long term results. Is there costs savings? Absolutely! IF, you do it well and IF, you keep track of the ROI, and IF, you hire qualified professionals. Contracting services has proven to be more effective than hiring personnel for this role.  For maximum effectiveness – try in-sourcing services versus outsourcing.

While it may be true that there is some abuse of our health care dollars, such as WSIB or STD benefits, the reality is that people are unwell for many reasons today, mental health issues being a major factor. What do employers do about this? They keep managing disability. We need to stop and realize that the ability to manage your sick costs passed you by a long time ago.  Disability management is not the solution to the rising costs of health care or benefits or absenteeism.

dHMS™ strategically empowers corporations to embrace realistic and holistic approaches to ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH to reduce overall costs. With an employee spending a minimum of 40 hours a week at the workplace, there is an increased need for a company to provide appropriate health management measures to not only reduce costs but to also maintain and/or increase employee well-being for long term benefits in productivity allowing companies to have an edge on the competitors.

We offer Health & Wellness programs but so do a lot of corporations.  This is not enough. It’s like shooting a dart in the dark and hope it lands on something of value. Yikes!  If you spend your money on Health & Wellness, you are at least making a move in the right direction but you still are not at the destination where your spending dollars are going to have significant impact. Managing your employee’s health, not disability, is the solution.

Lucie Fournier RN, COHN (C), BA (Psych)