How to offer modified work to employees with a workplace injury without restrictions from a health professional is a common question from employers. In very simple situations, which will be explained during our discussion on Linkedin Thursday, June 13, an employer does NOT need a health care practitioner to provide restrictions prior to the offer of modified work. I know! I know! Employers are [...]
There are many ways we can discuss how to promote wellness in the workplace. Long gone are the days where our health relies solely on community health options and conventional medicine. It’s time employers step up to offer wellness opportunities, including alternative health choices as well as conventional medicine at the workplace. The critical piece in staying healthy is reclaiming ownership over our own [...]
All too often our biggest focus in disAbility management is how fast can we get someone back to work. Rather than making this your goal, cultivate a culture of genuine and universal concern for your injured and/or ill employees. Their chances of a speedy recovery is exponentially increased when the organization says 'I want you back yesterday' and we can help! Too many employees [...]
This issue seems to be arising much more frequently these days and unfortunately, employers are not handling it well whatsoever. If you take one or two notes and accommodate, I can guarantee you, there is a line of employees wanting to change their shift as well. How do run an organization, let's say a hospital, if a majority of your employees only want to [...]
It's very frustrating to me when I hear or read about how employers are accommodating their sick or injured employee. There's a right way to do this, and then there's the lazy way. Let's start with the lazy way - since it seems to happen all too often. When a worker provides restrictions or limitations, it's so easy to pull them out of their [...]
All too often the question of how much longer should the modified work continue, comes to my attention. The answer of course is, it depends. For the most part, modified work should be between 4-8 weeks long. It should be progressive, suitable and productive. That's a lot to consider when deciding how and when to accommodate, never mind how long it should be. Make [...]
Over the years we've become very good at establishing appropriate accommodations when someone has a physical injury such as a sore back, or repetitive strain injury (RSI) but we need to get great at accommodating those with mental health issues. This seems to be a relatively new concept, one that is still yet to be adopted by most employers but definitely crucial in our [...]
All too often, the inconsistencies in claims management comes from not having a systematic process that you can rely on for ultimate success in reducing disability loss, whether this be financial, or an employee's absence. In today's times, employers make choices on the employee's absenteeism and work record as to how they are going to manage a particular claim. From a Human Rights perspective, [...]
I believe in ghosts. Now you may think this is a little too far off the beaten track - the business beaten track - but to be perfectly honest, it isn't. Sometimes, we leave workplace policies, people and behaviors, in our plants, offices and other working environments that just nag at us continuously for years after we tossed them out. So, this is my [...]
Doctors are extremely busy professionals and will provide a ‘note’ regarding an employee’s ability to return to work or to stay off of work when requested. ‘Does it suffice for your work environment’ is the question? The answer is, ‘it depends’. If you provided the doctor with clear expectations as to what needs to be on the note to assist you in the return [...]
