More Empathy, Engagement, and Improved Communication are Keys to Reducing Workers' Comp Costs
Posted Wednesday, December 06, 2017 by
The
research is clear--better
empathetic communication and engagement with injured workers can reduce
workers' compensation costs associated with their recovery.
HR
and EAPs should collaborate on this construct to get employees back to
work sooner, reduce lawsuits, help prevent related employment claims,
identify more troubled employees at risk of re-injury, and address
secondary personal problems of injured workers that sabotage recovery.
This
is not rocket science. Get excited, man! Follow 25 injured workers
in 2018 and engage them in an "EAP Proactive Recovery Program." Then,
compare your results--using 6-8 metrics--absences, treatment costs,
re-injury rates, legal claims, reduced HR hassle time, speedier return
to work, employee turnover, reduced overtime, etc.--to the same costs
associated with the last 25 compensable injuries that were not similarly
followed.
You should see a powerful return on this program. Then show up at EAPA conference or share your results at a SHRM
conference.
Here are a few ideas to consider for your project:
1.
Consider having injured workers engage with the EAP. A self-referral,
or even a formal referral after injury is appropriate because the
referral is based upon a job-related issue--injury. Another source of
referral is the workers' compensation managed care nurse--get this
individual on board with the program.
2. Have the EAP assess the psycho/social and environmental issues, and intervene with those that could contribute to prolonged absence--this is a research-proven cost driver for WC injuries--the longer out, the less likely the return to work.
4. Identify workers affected by depression and resolve employee concerns and complaints related to communications with the boss, HR, etc. (This reduces the likelihood of employees involving attorneys and suing the organization*.)
*See: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/2013/07/injured-workers-hire-attorneys-due-to-lack-of-employer-communication/
Return to work programs are great, but many include risk of re-injury if they are located near the environment associated with the original injury. ("Come'on Joe, help lift this lumber! You're back is fixed by now! Gimme a break!")
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