Are you moving fast enough in the early stages of a potential WorkCover claim? Both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Accident Compensation Act support employers to move fast, support early signs of physical and mental conditions and by doing so achieve significant savings in reduced WorkCover premium. How do we know this? Our customers have been doing exactly this and saving millions off their WorkCover premiums for almost a decade.
Workplace stigma and traditional beliefs in regards to the WorkCover system have previously rendered employers feeling powerless and confused. Yet leaving incidences and claims lying dormant would further put them at immense risks of financial cost due to increased premiums and productivity loss, causing adverse impacts for employers and their workplace.
It is important that when becoming aware of a workplace incident or early signs of a health condition that employer needs to move fast and effectively to stay in control of the return to work process, enabling a quick return to work for the worker.
For this to happen, it is crucial that the worker be assessed promptly so the Return to Work process can commence early rather than waiting for approval from WorkCover insurance agents. Employers are encouraged to arrange an assessment of the worker’s functional capacity and marry this to the demands of their duties. A P2 Group Occupational Therapist can assist with these assessments. Acting promptly would improve the chances of a claim being lodged as a minor claim, which will not increase your WorkCover premiums. Employers are also able to avoid further service costs such as rehabilitation providers, unnecessary independent medical examinations and time off work that impacts WorkCover premiums.
With employers proactively demonstrating interest in their workers’ health and providing support through line managers and P2 Group Occupational Therapists, a positive workplace culture and attitude will be created. Workers will appreciate the constructive support, opening lines of two-way communication, creating a positive work place environment. Within such encouraging settings, workers become more confident in expressing their issues of concerns to their supervisors/managers, without the need to lodge a WorkCover claim. This promotes workers to take proactive roles in the workplace, suggesting ways in which to improve workplace procedures and settings. Evidence indicates that a positive and supportive work environment not only leads to a reduction of the amount of claims and incidences but also increases worker productivity considerably.
Through implementing an early return to work program, managing incidences early and effectively, and taking control of the process, employers will be able to assist treating practitioners and WorkCover insurance agents in their facilitation of the return to work process in a timely manner. The positive effects on productivity and savings from reduced WorkCover premiums could be used to fund OHS initiatives and training and support for managers to aid staff welfare through proven early intervention processes.
Paul Marsh presenting the P2 Group ‘People Performance Award’, 2010, to Robert Gobaira, Senior Manager Production, Joy Adcock, Management Systems Manager and Danielle Pasa, Human Resources Adviser from Continental.
