This week’s CloseUp looks at return-to-work programs for people with mental health issues.
While many organizations have created special programs to ease employees back into the workplace after an accident or injury, people with mental health problems need just as much help. The sites listed here offer information that should serve as at least an introduction to help HR departments structure return-to-work programs for people suffering mental illness.
A RTW primer
www.tsbic.com/rtw.htm
This article, written by the Chubb Corporation, is only a few pages in length but covers the basics including: “What is a return to work program?” and “What are the benefits of a RTW program?” The article closes with the important steps to a successful RTW program.
Prevention first
www.roc.capnet.state.tx.us/rtwprog.htm
The article focuses on some of the widely accepted principles of a good return-to-work program. Readers are reminded that the best tool available to employers is still prevention which comes through workplace safety initiatives.
Best practices
www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/applets/Return_to_work.pdf
This article is in pdf form (Adobe) and is only one page in length. Published by the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta, the article revisits the benefits of return-to-work programs and reviews some best practices including “make the program flexible so that it can accommodate a variety of different situations.”
End the stigma of mental health
www.opm.gov/ehs/JanFeb00/JanFeb0004.htm
From the United States Office of Personnel Management comes this feature. The article starts with the statement “Perspectives shift as studies bring to light employees’ mental health and substance abuse problems as a significant source of indirect costs. These costs may be experienced through reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, short- and long-term disability, and workers’ compensation.” The article offers six recommendations for the effective management of mental health costs. Recommendation #1 is “End stigma attached to mental health problems.” Click through to see the other five.
Doctor’s point of view
www.wsib.on.ca
The Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board presents this document on return to work. Once at the site, click on Reference (Health professionals) and then select the Physicians Return to Work Guide. Offered in pdf form (Adobe) this 25-page guide looks at the role physicians should play in the return-to-work process. Simply stated, “As a physician treating an injured/ill worker/patient, your role is to promote, preserve and protect the health of the worker/patient, and act as an advocate for policies to benefit his or her health.” Included in the guide are a “communication checklist” and a “function plan.” This guide is an excellent resource and provides insight into the doctor-patient relationship, ultimately helping guide employers on the facilitation of successful return-to-work programs.
Joe Nunes is an actuary and president of Actuarial Solutions Inc. in Oakville, Ont. He can be reached at (905) 257-2038 or [email protected].
While many organizations have created special programs to ease employees back into the workplace after an accident or injury, people with mental health problems need just as much help. The sites listed here offer information that should serve as at least an introduction to help HR departments structure return-to-work programs for people suffering mental illness.
A RTW primer
www.tsbic.com/rtw.htm
This article, written by the Chubb Corporation, is only a few pages in length but covers the basics including: “What is a return to work program?” and “What are the benefits of a RTW program?” The article closes with the important steps to a successful RTW program.
Prevention first
www.roc.capnet.state.tx.us/rtwprog.htm
The article focuses on some of the widely accepted principles of a good return-to-work program. Readers are reminded that the best tool available to employers is still prevention which comes through workplace safety initiatives.
Best practices
www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/applets/Return_to_work.pdf
This article is in pdf form (Adobe) and is only one page in length. Published by the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta, the article revisits the benefits of return-to-work programs and reviews some best practices including “make the program flexible so that it can accommodate a variety of different situations.”
End the stigma of mental health
www.opm.gov/ehs/JanFeb00/JanFeb0004.htm
From the United States Office of Personnel Management comes this feature. The article starts with the statement “Perspectives shift as studies bring to light employees’ mental health and substance abuse problems as a significant source of indirect costs. These costs may be experienced through reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, short- and long-term disability, and workers’ compensation.” The article offers six recommendations for the effective management of mental health costs. Recommendation #1 is “End stigma attached to mental health problems.” Click through to see the other five.
Doctor’s point of view
www.wsib.on.ca
The Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board presents this document on return to work. Once at the site, click on Reference (Health professionals) and then select the Physicians Return to Work Guide. Offered in pdf form (Adobe) this 25-page guide looks at the role physicians should play in the return-to-work process. Simply stated, “As a physician treating an injured/ill worker/patient, your role is to promote, preserve and protect the health of the worker/patient, and act as an advocate for policies to benefit his or her health.” Included in the guide are a “communication checklist” and a “function plan.” This guide is an excellent resource and provides insight into the doctor-patient relationship, ultimately helping guide employers on the facilitation of successful return-to-work programs.
Joe Nunes is an actuary and president of Actuarial Solutions Inc. in Oakville, Ont. He can be reached at (905) 257-2038 or [email protected].
