In 2011 over 260,000 Canadians were injured on the job causing them to lose time at work. In 2012, 3.8 million Canadians reported that their daily activities were limited due to a disability. Statistics also report that one in six Canadians will become disabled for three months, or more, before the age of 50. These statistics are on the rise and are often challenging situations to navigate as an employer since governing regulations are ever-changing and complex.
As reported by WSIB in 2007, the average cost of a workplace disability claim can cost an employer up to $98,000. Are you properly educated? Do you have a Disability Services Advisor? Do you have processes and procedures in place to address an incident should it 
occur along with immediate return to work options?
How Can a Disability Case Manager Benefit Your Organization?
Having a professional Disability Case Manger will not only save your organization time and money, but it will foster healthy working relationships between the employer and the employee. Case Managers can provide in-depth training to your onsite professionals, be an in-source consultant and/or an outsourced resource for your case management needs.
In-Sourcing vs Out-Sourcing
A face-to-face approach (in-sourcing) should promote a remain at work philosophy that focuses on the ABILITY in the disability. A Disability Case Manager is most effective when he/she works and understands the stakeholders and the philosophy of each organization intimately. An effective Case Manager should consistently report the following results:
- Minimized time lost by the employee
- Minimized money spent/lost by the employer
- Maximum satisfaction for both parties
Out-sourced case management services is another effective tool to manage individual cases from a distance allowing your onsite professionals to maintain a working relationship with employees while your Case Manager addresses more complex cases to successful resolution.
Focus on the ABILITY
By focusing on the remaining ABILITIES of the injured/disabled employee, it ensures that the employee’s wellbeing remains a priority while minimizing the disruption to the organization. Combining other Health & Wellness Services with Disability Management tools provides a more well-rounded protocol to aid in a speedy recovery for the employee and minimizes costs/losses for the employer.
Make Disability Prevention a Priority
We believe that a proactive approach focusing on prevention is one of the keys to minimizing disability costs to an organization. Great-West Life (2011) reported that the major health issues that lead to a long-term disability claim are Mental Health disorders, cancer, musculoskeletal & connective tissue disorders, and accidents. Most of these disorders are directly related to our lifestyle choices and state of health. Dedicating resources to the development of a more comprehensive Health and Wellness program for employees will aid in minimizing the number of disability claims and long-term costs to the employer
Even with a proactive program in place for your employees, it is inevitable that every organization requires processes and procedures to properly handle a disability claim, should it arise. FOURNIER Health offers the following Disability Management Services:
•WSIB Case Management and Cost Containment
•Short- Term and Long- Term Disability Case Management
•Attendance Management Programs
•Remain- at- Work, Return- to- Work plans along with Modified Work Programs
•Ergonomic and PDA evaluations
•Health & Safety Policies and Training
•Human Resource Consultation
Please visit our website at www.fournierhealth.com or call us at 647-558-5302 to schedule your 1 hour complimentary strategic planning session.
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