A common question from employers is “Can I ask a worker to participate in an assessment of their capacity?” The answer is yes. This is a key component to the return to work process. Employers can arrange for workers with current injuries or early signs of physical and / or mental conditions to participate in assessments of their capacity, which when implemented with the P2 Group injury management process can have many benefits for employers, the workers and workforce management. On average our clients achieve a 50% reduction in their WorkCover premiums in the first 1 – 2 years.

Employers should be aware they can request their workers to participate in assessments of their capacity and the workers are legally obligated to participate as part of their return to work plans.

All P2 Group clients arrange assessments of capacity as the first step in assisting their workers to return to work. This is critical to employers controlling the return to work process, the results of which feed into P2 Group’s unique strategic case management process and assist our clients to achieve the following results:

•    Gaining control of all WorkCover cases.
How? The employers request the services of P2 Group Occupational Therapists to meet with their workers and conduct functional capacity evaluations. The P2 Group Occupational Therapists will have prior knowledge of the employers’ worksites and their operational requirements, which are incorporated with the workers’ needs to reach positive outcomes that are good for the employers and the workers.

•    Reducing claims costs and achieving significant savings in WorkCover premiums.
How? The employers engage P2 Group directly and pay for P2 Group Occupational Therapists services. These costs do not increase WorkCover claims costs.

•    Moving fast.
How? The employers and the workers do not lose time waiting for approvals from their WorkCover insurance agents. The employers move fast and stay in control from the start. Most WorkCover claims can be lodged as minor claims which do not impact WorkCover premiums.

•    Reducing WorkCover claims and improving workplace culture.
How? Over time as employers continue to assess workers with injuries and early signs of conditions, the line of communication opens between managers and workers and generates a positive workforce culture. As workers learn that they will be looked after, they inform their managers of aches and pains instead of automatically lodging WorkCover claims.

In addition, as of 1 July 2010 employers will have increased return to work obligations. Peter Hanks QC who recently undertook a review of the Victorian Accident Compensation Act has stipulated that employers need to plan workers’ return to work from when they first become aware of their injuries, irrespective of whether a WorkCover claim has been lodged. Employers are able to fulfil their obligations by using P2 Group Occupational Therapists to assess their workers, which will enable employers to plan their workers’ return to work.

To achieve the benefits listed above, employers need to be able to interpret the assessment findings and incorporate them into Return to Work Plans. This provides a clear path forward for the workers and the Treating Practitioners and facilities a positive outcome. Employers remain in control and savings from reduced WorkCover premiums can be used to meet operational requirements and OH&S initiatives to improve staff welfare.

Click here to contact a P2 Group consultant to discuss employers arranging their own assessments of capacity and experience the difference.

Carla Dellwo
P2 Group Occupational Therapist