Return to Work Management
Unless your company has a large
human resources department, chances are that dealing with employee disability
claims is difficult. Disability management can be complex, and procedures in
regard to the issues confusing. That's why it makes sense for small businesses
to partner with a medical assessment company with expertise in the area of returning injured employees to work. These
companies can supply your business with a specialist who will oversee return to
work management to the satisfaction of all of the stakeholders.
Appointing a Case Manager
Usually it's in the best
interests of both employer and employee to facilitate a speedy return to work
for any employee who is absent due to injury or illness. Once a disability
claim has been filed, there are various obligations on both sides and legal
criteria to be met. Unless you have a large staff, it can be difficult to keep
on top of all of the required paperwork and the timelines associated with it.
It's also important for the employee's medical information to be kept confidential,
something that can be near impossible in a small company. That is why hiring
the services of a medical assessment firm is the best option for a small
business. A medical assessment company can appoint a case manager to your
situation in order to assist with the management of your claim.
This case manager will maintain
an arms-length relationship with employer and employee, and is charged with
protecting the interests of all of the stakeholders. The goal of a case manager
is to facilitate a timely return to work for the employee. In the interest of
pursuing this goal, a case manager:
- Gathers information.
- Problem solves.
- Assists in the designs of a return to work
strategy.
- Assists with coordination of the return
to work plan.
- Brings in added
expertise if this is necessary. (i.e. an ergonomic assessor)
Having an independent case
manager in charge of disability issues can help ensure that interactions are
impartial, objective, and professional. When employer and employee share common
goals, a case manager can usually resolve a disability claim reasonably
quickly, to the benefit of all parties.
Other Services
A medical assessment company can offer many
other support services to small business. These include:
- Employee Assistance Plans (EAPs). This service allows your employees access to immediate
counseling to help them deal with stresses such as drug and alcohol dependency,
marital discord, or grief.
- Clinics. Provide your employees
with an annual flu clinic to help reduce flu-related absences.
- Screening. Many employers have
begun screening employees for health-related conditions. These might include
high blood pressure, the so-called "silent killer” and high cholesterol. Both
of these conditions are easily treated, and discovering them can help to
prevent employees from suffering a debilitating heart attack or stroke. This
type of screening can even save lives. Some companies also screen for drugs and
alcohol. Identifying employees who need counseling for addiction issues can be
life-changing and can greatly improve both personal and professional
relationships.
Contact a medical assessment
company today and discover how partnering with experts in the field can improve
the health of your employees and your company.