Absence management and
return-to-work system
Absence Management and Return-to-Work System
Healthy employees equal a healthy balance sheet
When one of your employees is off sick with a work-related injury or illness, you will be concerned not only with their well
being but also the impact on your business. In Britain around 30 million days are lost each year due to work-related injury
or illness, at an estimated cost of £14bn to British businesses*
Return-to-Work is appropriate for all types of injury or accident including professional executives injured in a road traffic
accident or blue collar employees injured in their place of work. Each day that injured employees do not return to work
impacts employers, costing them and their insurers significant sums of money.
We have teamed up with Broadspire Rehab to offer an absence management and Rehabilitation Service designed to help
control employees’ absence and associated costs. The Broadspire Return-to-Work System operates in three phases to
minimise this cost and encourage the employee to return to work as soon as possible.
Phase 1: Injury Assist Services
Providing medical management for employee’s treatment and recovery after minor injury.
Phase 2: Return-to-Work Assistance
Case management which ensures the employee returns to his or her position or an alternative role as soon as possible.
Phase 3: Vocational Assessment and Job Placement
For employees whose injuries prevent them from returning to work with their current employer.
*refer to article found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/
The cost of injured employees to employers and insurers
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The longer someone is away from work with an injury, the less likely they will return to work.
Every day an employee is absent from work due to an injury, additional staff are required.
Addressing medical problems early reduces employees recovery time and reduces the time
required before return to work.
Compensation claims for injuries quickly mount up.
Rehabilitation
If your employee is absent or is likely to be absent for more than a month we provide a comprehensive service which may
involve provision of medical services, liability investigation and back to work planning.
Through the Broadspire Rehabilitation, we can arrange specialists, doctors or other forms of treatment such as
physiotherapy or psychotherapy. We will ensure that where possible, all treatment will be within easy commuting
distance for the employee. This enables us to provide an expert opinion, advice and arrange any necessary treatment
efficiently.
The Broadspire team are well qualified to assist in a full range of illnesses and injuries, including the two most common
causes of work-related sick leave: musculoskeletal disorders and stress, both of which respond well to rehabilitation
assistance. By cutting out delays for vital scans, tests or treatment, we can ensure the employees are quickly diagnosed
and treated, so that they can get better as soon as possible.
Referral
• The first stage of the Return-to-Work System is the referral. Evidence and research confirms that early intervention is a
fundamental requirement. The earlier Broadspire are instructed, the greater the possibility for maximum recovery and
employees return to work, therefore saving costs.
• If an employee is absent for more than three days following a work related injury or illness, please contact our absence
management helpline on 0345 450 7303 to inform us. Subject to the information you supply and with your permission,
one of our professionally qualified team will phone your employee and conduct a ‘telephone triage’ assessment. We
provide advice and guidance to you and your employee, recommending the best course of action including any necessary
treatment.
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Absence Management and Return-to-Work System
Medical Management
Triage with Employee
The Broadspire Injury Assist service begins with our clinically qualified Rehabilitation Advisors contacting the employee.
During the discussion our advisor will assess the injury and compile a history of health complaints suffered before and
after the accident. The circumstances surrounding the accident and the impact on the employee’s life and treatment
received thus far will be discussed as well as the employees expected return to work date.
Confirmation with employer
The next step is a communication between our Rehabilitation Specialist and the employer to discuss the potential for the
employee returning to their pre injury job role. Modifications or redeployment to an alternative role may be discussed
and information will be provided when required, regarding any proposed treatment.
Injury Assist Plus
After the triage process we can provide either or all of the following:
• guidance for the employee regarding self-management exercise.
• referral for face to face assessment.
• diagnostic services as indicated through our rehab.Net network of providers.
We maintain contact with you and your employee regularly throughout the duration of the employees absence. By
intervening early, we can maximise the likelihood of your employee making a swift and full recovery.
We will be supporting you, your employee and your business all the way through the recovery and rehabilitation process.
Our course of action depends on the likely length of absence.
rehab.Net
To support our Rehabilitation Services we work with our rehab.Net network of physiotherapy and psychological treatment
providers, doctors and clinics for treatment provision. Broadspire has developed a network with a limited number of
physiotherapy organisations with strong clinical governance and adherence to quality standards. Quality is foremost in
Broadspire core values; we are confident that through rehab.Net we bring a strong component to the injury and claims
management process for not only will cost savings be realised, a caring employer philosophy will be fostered.
By focusing more closely on managing work-related injury or illness, we may detect trends in your business and will share
this information with you to provide guidance on its prevention.
The Results
Rehab Case Study 1 Injury
Mr J, a 45 year old Accountant injured his shoulder resulting in diagnosis of dead bone disease (osteonecrosis).
Actions
Mr J was assessed at home by the Case Manager to develop a Rehabilitation Plan which included referral for review by a
shoulder specialist. The referral resulted in coordination of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
Outcome
Mr J returned to his pre accident employment 3 days per week three months after the accident took place, gradually
increasing to full duties. The Case Manager and Mr J worked closely together and an employer claim was never lodged by
Mr J who was ultimately promoted internally to a more senior role.
Cost Savings
The employer and insurer agreed to compensate the employee for his injuries without the need for solicitors or a claim.
The employer was happy because they have the return of a valued team member who, through his work has saved them
a vast amount of money on a project he was working. Additionally they were not faced with a large claim for loss of
earnings because Mr J was delighted to have the support and treatment offered through the Rehabilitation Programme.
Mr J credited the Rehabilitation Services as having saved the company in excess of £400,000.
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Absence Management and Return-to-Work System
Rehab Case Study 2 Injury
Mr S, a 29 year old male roofer who developed respiratory problems following a suspected exposure to Isocyanate, a
colourless toxin used at the workplace, on the 18th February.
Mr S is described as having a history of flu like illness, with difficulty breathing especially in the morning, shortness of
breath on exertion, aches and pains. Mr S described an exposure to a similar substance 2 years previously where he was
treated by his GP. Treatment included inhalers and steroids but had a limited response.
At the time of the assessment Mr S had not returned to work since the incident
Actions
A telephone assessment took place on 29th March which revealed that a likely claim was going to be placed. The Case
Manager obtained authorisation and organised referral on a private basis to a Chest Physician (NHS wait times more
than 3 months). The Chest Physician revised Mr S’s medication regime and arranged further visits for review. The Case
Manager worked closely with the employer to establish supportive guidelines which allowed light duties and avoided
chemical contact.
Outcome
Mr S returned to work on 7th April on light duties which progressed to full duties on 17th May, with the assistance and
support of the Case Manager. A wider result was that the Employer reviewed use of Isocyanate substances in the job to
limit future exposure.
Cost Savings
Mr S returned to his previous role and an EL claim was avoided.
The Return-to-Work System is a Complimentary service on this policy if Employers Liability is insured.
Providing the employee returns to work within one month, their case will not appear on your claims
experience unless a formal claim is made.
Thistle Underwriting is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority. Lloyd’s Broker. Registered in England under No. 00338645 Registered office: 68 Lombard Street London EC3V 9LJ.
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