Disability Management Programs
Does your company have a
comprehensive disabilities management program? If not, you may want to partner
with a medical assessment company with expertise in the medical assessment area.
Many companies fail to realize the importance of this aspect of employment, and
managers find themselves scrambling to catch up
after a disability claim
is made. Proactive managers and
company owners are beginning to realize the benefits of bringing a medical
assessment company on board in order to maximize the health of the workplace.
A Healthy Workplace Is a Happy Workplace
First, does your firm have
solid HR and Disability policies in place? If not, this is a great place to
begin your partnership with a medical assessment company! Having good policies in place supports everyone in the company. Make sure all
employees are aware of what your policies are, and that material about the
legal aspects of disability claims is readily available. Ensure that managers
and supervisors are thoroughly trained in the roles and responsibilities of
each party regarding disability.
Better than dealing with the
after-effects of workplace injury or illness would be to prevent these through
education. A good medical assessment company can create custom workshops for
your organization that help to promote safety and assess workplace hazards.
These can range from intensive training to simple "Lunch and Learn” seminars.
Clinics are an increasingly
popular method of promoting health in the workplace. Many companies now offer a
fall Flu Clinic, for example, where vaccinations are available along with
reminders of how to prevent the spread of germs. These have been shown to reduce
flu-related absenteeism. Screening clinics focused on detecting high blood
pressure or high cholesterol levels may identify employees who need preventive
treatment. Detecting these "silent killer” problems early can prevent
individuals from suffering debilitating heart attacks or strokes. Drug and
alcohol dependence screening can also help to identify employees who may need
help.
Implementing
a comprehensive Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) allows these employees and
others who may be suffering from stress-related illnesses to access
confidential counseling at any time.
Returning Employees to Work
And of course, a good medical
assessment company can help you reduce absenteeism by finding ways for employees
who may have suffered an injury or illness to return to work. This can be
accomplished through various tools, including:
- IMEs. Independent Medical
Evaluations can be requested by employers. Professional evaluators specializing
in numerous areas such as neurology, orthopedics, dentistry, or physiotherapy
may assess an employee's injuries and treatment. They may be able to suggest
alternate therapies, or recommend changes to the workplace that will expedite
the employee's return to his or her regular duties.
- Disability Management Strategies.
An experienced company can provide you with tools to proceed through various steps
required when disability is an issue. This ensures that you don't lose valuable
time.
- Wellness Programs and Accommodation.
An experienced medical assessment company may be able to recommend wellness
programs or accommodations that will speed the transition back to work.