Module Exercise #1:

A disability management program often involves eight key elements;

1. Management- Labour commitment and supportive policies
This element deals with the impact the disability will have on the employee’s families and work as well as the organization as a whole. Programs are in place and are promoting development of supportive policies and services to help keep the employees at work and complying with the correct legislation (due diligence).
The company must commit the correct finances into funding these programs, as well as attempt to achieve a work culture, which values their employees work when they are sick/injured and health (treated equally).
Employee presenteeism and absenteeism can be reduced through the development of a people orientated work culture and corporations offering a selection of various programs to their employees.

2. Stakeholder Education and Involvement
Management and labour must establish common goals for the companies integrated disability management program, which meets companies needs
Management must define and communicate to the stakeholders their roles and responsibilities (provide necessary education) in the company’s disability management program
Management must place a lot of emphasis on educating their stakeholders on how important it is at trying to keep employees at work, and how they must be sensitive to their disabilities
Management under this element should also place focus on getting the employees and their bosses involved in the disability management program and providing programs which will help reduce/prevent injury/illness.

3. Supportive Benefit Programs
Management and labour are responsible for creating benefit plans, which support employee work attendance as well as support employees that have taken time off due to injury/illness. These programs should be tailored to getting employees back to work in a timely and safe fashion.
Provide employee assistance programs to employees, as well as their families (counseling and other services).
Management should implement plans that support and accommodate workplace rehabilitation as well as offer follow up support to the employee for when they return to work.

4. A Coordinated Approach to Injury/Illness Management
This element requires management to ensure that the company is implementing an effective standards of practice for managing employee injury/sickness
Management should have in place early intervention post employee injury/illness, and make sure that the employee has access to appropriate healthcare services (done through linkage and relationships between companies and health service providers)
Management should insure that the appropriate documentation is collected and the appropriate systems are in place to monitor and sort this information

5. Communication Strategy
Management must insure that a program with a marketing component is included when promoting the disability management program of the company
Stakeholders must be communicated their roles and what their benefits are under the program, the program is evaluated and assessed on a regular basis and necessary changes are made
Management must make sure a communication strategy is in place to manage the flow of information to and from the key stakeholders

6. Graduated Return to Work
Management must insure that when an employee wishes to return to work it is flexible and available return to work options are regularly offered
Workplace accommodations and facilitations are offered to employee upon return to work. As well as supervisors being understanding and offering any additional support if necessary.

7. Performance Measurement
Management must ensure that certain measures are in place for their company disability management plan, as well as having a strategy in place to help