When it comes to an occupational injury, there are many essential components to optimize the process and outcome for both the organization and the injured worker. In our experience, employers routinely find modified duties to be one of the biggest challenges whilst navigating through the complexities of an occupational injury. From interpreting medical reporting to providing appropriate modified duties and following WCB modified duty requirement policy, these moving parts collectively point to a process that is naturally challenging and quite overwhelming for any organization.
Baron’s expertise with injury management, along with our deep knowledge of WCB policy, empowers organizations to break down modified work into the how’s and why’s. In particular, how to go about understanding and applying modified work duties and why these overarching programs are so important for your organization. One of our goals when working with clients is to reduce the stress surrounding this essential part of injury management and underlying WCB claims. In doing so, we naturally facilitate a much smoother process for all involved parties.
In this blog, we will provide a sneak peek into how we assist organizations with modified work programs alongside presenting you with key considerations regarding this topic based on our experiences.
Keeping Workers Engaged in the Workplace is Key
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website, generally speaking, the longer an injured worker is away from the workplace, the likelihood that they don’t return to their pre-accident job increases. As a result, keeping a worker engaged in the workplace through a modified role is crucial as it provides affirmation of their value to your company.
One of our main goals while managing an injury is to support employers in providing meaningful and appropriate modified duties. Oftentimes, workers and employers are skeptical of modified duties due to the fear that they will prevent recovery or worsen the injury. However, through clear lines of communication between all involved parties and our medical expertise, we naturally mitigate these concerns. In addition, we also recognize the importance of engaging the WCB claim owner in the modified work process. They can be utilized to clarify discrepancies in worker and medical reporting of limitations, while also offering support by facilitating additional medical examinations where appropriate.
The Financial Implications of Lost Time Claims
In the case of an occupational injury, the top priority is always the recovery of the injured worker. Ensuring that injured workers are accurately assessed, continuously supported, and progressing towards official return-to-work dates is essential. However, protecting your company’s bottom line in the context of modified work throughout this entire process is a very close second. If modified work is not offered and implemented the day after an accident, a claim becomes a “lost time claim”. This is an important consideration when it comes to establishing a strong modified duties program due to the potential negative financial impact they can have on your bottom line.
WCB sets forth a dollar value every year that each claim is allowed to reach before the claim costs start to affect your premiums. If a claim becomes a lost time claim, and even if the claim costs remain under the standard threshold amount, they are still calculated against your premiums for three years. With multiple lost time claims, costs begin to add up and can have a significant negative impact on your premiums over time.
The ability to clearly navigate through modified work processes with an understanding of the potential negative financial implications of lost time claims makes all the difference. For many supervisors and managers, this can directly influence the “buy-in” to stay engaged with providing appropriate modified duties throughout the length of any given claim. At Baron, we provide these leaders with the training and education that is required to encourage this motivated engagement – all in an effort to keep injured workers progressing towards official return-to-work dates alongside protecting your company’s bottom line.
Internal Documentation Can Make or Break Success
Success with a modified duty program starts well before the date of accident. It begins with clear internal company policy, practices, and expectations in the event of a workplace injury. In most cases, this information should be established and presented to each worker upon their hiring.
Having your workers read and acknowledge internal policies and practices helps prevent confusion, miscommunication, and refusal of offered modified work if an occupational injury occurs. Documentation that outlines clear expectations regarding participation in modified duties allows for proactive and controlled injury management right from the date of an injury. If workers can expect an offer of modified duties within the first day following their injury, the employer is able to set a precedent of process that mitigates the risk of having the claim become a lost time claim.
We’ve worked with numerous clients to create customized policies and practices for this exact reason. We also understand that management and safety teams have a plethora of responsibilities when an injury occurs, which is why we work directly with you to proactively create the necessary documentation. By having this documentation in hand, it becomes a reflex to present to workers, not a reactive chore.
Baron and Modified Duties
A comprehensive, effective modified duties program benefits both your company and the injured worker. Putting the time and work into creating a thorough, streamlined modified duties program before an injury occurs sets your company up for financial and logistical success, while promoting the well-being and support of your injured worker. The ability to avoid lost time claims by keeping injured workers engaged through modified duties should also never be overlooked.
Baron Healthcare Consultants is here to assist your company with all the logistics associated with modified duties. Through our injury management services, we apply our expertise to streamline the complexity that modified work duties often present. Connect with us today for a free consultation to review your current process and to explore how we can support your organizational goals.
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional regarding any specific injury, symptoms, or concerns. If you believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. Baron Health & Safety Consultants is not responsible for any loss, injury, or damages resulting from reliance on the information contained within this blog.
