Research shows that organized return-to-work (
RTW) programs reduce the length of work disability and that combined
interventions can result in employees returning to work 2.4 times faster
than with only minimal care. Companies in Australia, Canada, Germany,
the Netherlands and the United States have demonstrated that disability
management programs based on sound
principles and creativity, collaboration and commitment can show dramatic
results. Here are some success stories.
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The City of Medicine Hat has 1,000 employees, both union and
non-union. Its disability management program has saved the city more
than $1.25 million in sick leave, workers' compensation costs and
long-term disability costs.
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Comcare Australia (the federal workers' compensation insurer for
government employees in Australia) reduced its premium pool by 45% in
the first five years of operation of its disability management
program, achieved an 87% return-to-work rate and reduced averaged
premium rates from 2.5% to 1.2% of payroll.
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Ford Germany successfully integrated 300 of 500 disabled workers into
new production lines for the Ford Fiesta; another 160 were integrated
in other areas of the operation. These individuals would otherwise not
have returned to employment within the company.
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Weyerhaeuser is introducing disability management throughout its
hundreds of operations across Canada and around the world. In
operations where the RTW standards have been adopted, a 25%
improvement in lost time has resulted. All units are required to have
RTW standards in place by January 1, 2004.
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Health Care Corporation of St. John's is the largest employer in
Newfoundland. Its disability management program has resulted in a
lower average number of sick days per employee than other health
boards in the province. "If you asked our senior team about the
financial resources we've put into safety and disability management,
they'd say that they've gotten back their payback tenfold," says
Maureen Meaney, manager of Employee Wellness.
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The Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia is so confident
that sound disability management programs work, it has launched a
pilot project in the pulp and paper industry that offers employers who
achieve a score of 80% or better on the
Consensus Based Disability Management Audit (CBDMA™) tool an
immediate 10% discount on their WBC benefit and administration cost
rates.
