Mastering Accident Investigations & Subsequent WSIB Claims

Below you will find the link to the above Seminar – the first of a series to help employers improve their safety and claims experiences.

http://www.dhms.on.ca/seminars/seminars.html

We have two locations to serve our customers. Kempenfelt Centre in Innisfil and St. Jacobs’s just outside of the Kitchener/Waterloo area.

We have the flexibility to provide these seminars and others, in your city, or at your company. Feel free to inquire about your needs as we are here to help you conquer the ongoing issues of workplace accidents and WSIB case management.

disAbility & Health Management Solutions is presently undergoing a website change so please be patient with us. We look forward to seeing you at the seminars or assisting you in some other way.

Confirm your attendance to the date and location of your choice by emailing your intent to attend – dhms@dhms.on.ca.
To pay, go to our website http://www.dhms.on.ca – Seminars page and follow the paypal instructions.

Stay safe,

Lucie Fournier

Mastering Accident Investigations & Subsequent WSIB Claims

Keep an eye out for new disAbility & Health Management Seminars with Safety Trainer Mark Dymock, and disAbility Consultant Lucie Fournier.

Interactive sessions will be held in Barrie on March 7 and March 28 and also in the Kitchener/Waterloo area on March 14 and April 4.

Do you want to be a Leader in Workplace Health?

disAbility & Health Management Solutions
Communiqué – January 2013

Health (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

Happy New Years!
Here are some simple solutions on how to become a leader in workplace health.

1. Get ahead of your disability claims
The best way to get ahead of your disability claims is to ensure your policies and procedures accurately reflect your strategies to minimize absenteeism. In my opinion, the main reason why employees take time off is because we ‘allow them’ to do so.

2. Have a 3rd or 4th party analyze your disability management situation/provider
While a lot of employers think that disability management consultants are expensive – they are worth it.  🙂 With a return on investment (ROI) of 1:7, dHMS has saved, on average, $7.00 on every dollar invoiced for full disability management services. That’s dollars back in your pocket that far outweigh the costs.

3. Reallocate your disability management dollars to Health Initiatives
In order to prevent disability, workplaces need to take a strategic approach to keeping their employees healthy. There is a huge return on your investment, a reduction in your benefits and sick time along with reduced workplace accidents if your employees are healthy. Many studies are available today to provide you with statistics to support implementing such programs.

4. Develop a Health Management Program that goes beyond Health & Wellness
Lunch n’ learns, seminars, health fairs are all great ways to promote health & wellness in the workplace. Although this is a great way to start, implementing corporate objectives to sustain health and wellness goes beyond seminars. It needs to be embedded in the culture of the organization. When we talk about health & safety, we seem to focus on safety that keeps our people free from injury. Now we need to address staying healthy from illness or disease.

5. Be prepared to address the real root of the problem
You can address the real root of the problem by conducting an audit of your benefits – drugs, dental, other medical services. What are your employees spending money on?

6. Be committed to long term solutions
Once you have a long term strategy in place, be prepared to enjoy the rewards of a healthy workforce that directly affects the bottom line. Healthier people produce more and enjoy coming to work regularly.

7. Be prepared for maximum results!
As an employer, it is hard to see the return on investment up front, but research has recorded ROI that can be utilized to show the worth of a strong Health Program for the longevity of your corporation.

Lucie Fournier RN, COHN(C), BA (Psych)
Barrie: 705 715 7052 Cambridge: 226 241 7100

Email: dhms@dhms.on.ca

Health (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

http://www.dhms.on.ca

New Year = Absenteeism

I have found over the years, for some odd reason, the absenteeism rates reduce significantly before the Festive Holidays. Maybe everyone is intent on getting away from hanging lights, baking, wrapping gifts or shopping. Sounds like a deterence but don’t let this fool you.  Historically, the New Year gets most companies back on track when it comes to employee absenteeism.

January and February are very difficult times of the year, as if the Holidays are any easier. Mental Health issues are on the rise when all the festivity is over and life gets back to some normalcy.

As an employer this is a good time of the year to increase employee morale – winter bbqs are great!, contests, surveys, increase communications with extra training or corporate follow ups – whatever you choose to do, make sure its positive, and team related. Staying close to your workplace buddies helps ease the blues.

Corporate objectives as it relates to health and wellness should be a priority. In the last year, change seems to be the norm for most corporations. Take a look at your health & wellness programs – do something new. How about adding holistic health to your portfolio? A naturopath or homeopath can add natural medicine to your work environment and teach your employees to regain the power of managing their own health, naturally.

If nothing else, embark on a variety of diverse health management options for your employees through lunch n’learns or health fairs. If you need help, give me a call. I would be happy to help organize this for you.

With Santa comes Stress!

Tis the season where everyone is in a hurry to get from one place to another, buying gifts for all their loved ones and friends, and eventually making it to the grocery store for the perfect festive meals. I’m guilty like so many others.  However, those of us that work full time and try to manage these additional errands want to pull our hair out (if you have any left) to get this all done.

I spent the weekend running a few errands myself and was utterly amazed at the number of people that think they are the only ones out there needing to get things done. I stood in the middle of the Shoppers Health Care parking lot with another shopper – if it was fly season, I’m sure we both would have ended with a few in our mouths!

WE ARE THE CAUSE OF OUR OWN STRESS!

Getting the perfect gift or having the perfect Christmas tree or making the perfect festive meal is all in OUR minds; no one else’s. Keeping it in perspective especially this time of the year,  is so important to avoiding those post holiday blues.  Yes, it’s Christmas but NO we don’t need to go absolutely psycho because of it. Make your list; shop when no one else is shopping; be courteous to fellow humans; remember it’s Christmas afterall.

Take a breather from shopping at a local restaurant and enjoy the entire day with love in your hearts. Reduce your store bought shopping lists to hugs and kisses on Christmas Day! It isn’t the presents we get or the big meals we gorge ourselves on that is important. It’s the time we take to spend with family and friends.

With my son starting Basic Military Training right after New Years, I can guarantee you that my fight with local neighbours in the check out line is zilch, nadda, niente, zero!  I’m sure you get my drift.  There isn’t a thing I could buy, or meal I could make that would allow me to take an inordinate amount of time away from precious moments with him.  Think about it!

There are so many people in the world today, in our own backyards, that don’t get gifts at Christmas and don’t have family to visit with them this time of year.  Avoid the stress and do some good for others. Take your family to a local nursing home and share the holiday with those less fortunate than us, in the only way that really counts on this earth; people being with people.

My children and I have foregone our own Christmas in the past to spend the day together at a local nursing home.  What joy we brought to those men and women long forgotten by their families, being taken care of by paid staff. So while you are all out there running around trying to get everything perfect, remember that perfect is underrated by a long shot. Give from the heart, not from the wallet. Your heart will fill with love and patience, much needed during this holiday season.

English: Christmas Day in a nursing home Noon on Christmas Day and the residents of Gallions View 369824 are waiting for their Christmas lunch. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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disAbility Management Peer Networking Group

From the 27 years of working with Human Resources Professionals, I consistently see 2 work habits.  They are extremely busy professionals and  they think they can do everything themselves.  And some can; but at a price – psychological, physically and financially.

I’ve been to the last few meetings with the Barrie HRPA, and a few others in Ontario, and I consistently see that disability management issues have been a topic of great concern this year, as it should be.  There is a trend to want to do the work yourself, but access to some advice, wouldn’t hurt – especially if it doesn’t cost legal fees to get it.

So, I’ve decided to start a Peer Networking Group on Disability Management for the ‘do-it-your-selfers’. The initial meeting will be arranged towards the end of January 2013.  Another group will be starting up in the Kitchener-Waterloo area as well.

With everyone’s input, the schedule will be voted upon as well as an agenda for each meeting.  Come with your ideas, your desires and your frustrations!

As a reminder though, disability management is a reactive process to an employee’s medical situation.  It is also important to consider what your organization is doing to prevent disability claims from occurring. Something to think about….

 

Calling in Sick!

Well, with the party in downtown Toronto late Sunday night, I’m sure a few people called in sick on Monday! Lots of cheering, drinking and craziness going on but a good time was had by all that attended the Grey Cup.  Unfortunately the entertainment had a lot to be desired, but we survived the oh too young artists and some older ones such as Gordon Lightfoot and Burton Cummings.

I had the pleasure of having a photo taken in front of the WSIB offices on Front Street! Not that thinking about work on a Sunday is anything that I would typically do – joking of course. Absenteeism, WSIB and non occupational claims never seem to leave my mind.  I guess after 27 years of working in disability management, it’s hard to shut it off. As a small business owner, it is doubly hard to stop thinking about work because a small business isn’t on a 9 -5 schedule. It’s constant attention to your customers, to the work leftover at the end of the day and always wanting to exceed expectations – or maybe that’s the perfectionist in me?

So, how do employees close their minds and really relax and recharge for Monday?  All too often it’s a semi-relaxation. To be fully relaxed, I’ve found leaving the country over the years works best.  Maybe we should have shorter work weeks, longer weekends, siestas in the middle of the day – hmmm sounds like Europe.  Whatever you decide to do to relax, try to do so with the full intent to forget about work. That includes, leaving your computer, blackberry and phone somewhere where the dings and rings can’t be heard.

Grey Cup (Photo credit: DennisTsang)

Grey Cup pictures can be found on facebook.com

 

100th Grey Cup!

Who would have ever thought that buying tickets one year ago would lead to watching the Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup – in Toronto, no less!  My son is still extremely excited as I was a year ago but today I’m not so sure….too many people, craziness, noise (where is my hearing protection!) I’m packing to head down for the weekend in Toronto, but with the snow…. maybe I should just cancel with the excuse that I can’t get out of my driveway?!

A horse in the Royal York Hotel! Seriously! Ok, I think I lead a very sheltered life.

I’m definitely calling in sick on Monday – I’m not entirely sure from what at this point but I can think of a few diagnoses. Stress from too many people.  Headache from the decibel levels being greater than 100.  Food poisoning from the food or maybe fatigue from fighting my way through hoards of people.  Take your pick!

Nevertheless, we got awesome prices for our tickets and hotel room so we aren’t throwing those away.  The last time I was at a Grey Cup was years ago (I can’t tell you for sure how long ago because that would just show my age). I anticipate that I will survive the ordeal with a few dings on my psyche.  I’ll let you know how we fare out.

It will give me quiet time with THE CHILD (well not really quiet) before he flies out to start his new life with the Canadian Forces.  Yep, he will be an employee of the Canadian Government as of December 18 – the Swearing in Ceremony and then flies to Montreal to start his Basic Training on January 5, 2013. His bag is already packed, sitting on my living room floor – a little excited?

 

 

 

Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace

The standards regarding Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace, according to the OOHNA Journal, Fall 2012 edition, is the first of its kind in the world! Although, this is considered to be voluntary (so far), it does provide a template for employers in Canada to address mental health issues, a topic we seem to be hearing more and more about.  This is not a new subject but unfortunately for some it may seem this way. My guess, at some point this will not be a voluntary process – who knows, it may even be included in the OHS Act?!

As stated in the OOHNA Journal, the author, Kathy Jurgens, states that the Mental Health Commission of Canada, feels that employers have a responsibility to ensure the workplace is psychologically safe. I agree 100% however, employers are struggling now with managing physical safety despite the efforts of numerous associations and government regulations. There is also a fairly large stigma, still, about psychological issues – people shy away from this – some think it’s bogus, some think it happens to other people, some don’t want to even know about it or have to deal with it.

In today’s times, let’s face it, many people are stressed to the max with one thing or another.  When it rains, its pours – is all too common a feeling when you are dealing with psychological issues.  It just keeps on coming – everything is overwhelming – so, at the end of the day, who really wants to tell their workplace they are having anxiety about one more task they need to complete, or one more meeting they need to attend, or one more deadline they need to meet.  Yikes!  Too much already.

Over the past 14 years in private practice, I have seen companies perform a major restructuring of their resources, processes, systems and expect their employees to keep up, then wonder why their disability costs are soaring, absenteeism is out of control and workplace accidents are still happening. Everyone is attached to some mobile device 24/7.  So when do you ever get a chance to have a weekend – you know the kind that we all looked forward to – where you can kick back, enjoy a few cold ones with family and friends, and not worry about what is on your desk, or that someone is looking for some report.

I agree wholeheartedly with Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace Standards but there is so much more employers can do today, that can make their work environment psychologically safe. Unfortunately it isn’t being done – even the simplest of suggestions aren’t being implemented.  You have to ask yourself why.  At the end of the day, everyone knows that we all need to recharge our batteries, that our wages definitely do not cover all the hours we put in, nor does it come even close to making up for the damage we do to our families, friends when work decides it is #1 in our lives.  I love working with employers because I believe they have the capacity to make an enormous impact on their employees’ lives.  One small endeavor at a time. One employee at a time. Decide how you, the corporation, is going to make a difference. It is a win-win situation.  Happier employees will produce more, attend work regulary and are engaged in their performance.  Now who doesn’t want those side effects?

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A Remembrance Day to Remember – Dedicated to my son Colin

My son Colin, who is an amazing Artist, has decided to join the Army – wanted to do so since the age of 16.  I’ve watched this rather slow governmental process come to fruition – he’s just waiting for the phone call at this point ( which we hoped would be after the Grey Cup, since we have great seats for the game).  For those of you that know me, my son, has been one of my greatest joys in life, my legacy to the universe when I leave it – always supportive of all my endeavors and ambitions. He has stood patiently by my side encouraging me to reach all my dreams never once telling me that they couldn’t be reached, or that it was silly.  Now it’s my time to support him in his career choice but I have to say this isn’t easy.  Despite knowing that his choice to serve in OUR Canadian Forces is selfless, I still remain a little selfish. I think as parents, there are some days we are glad to see our children move on, but more often, we are sadden that life has got us to this stage, quickly, so it seems.

Why, I asked do you want to have a career in the Army?  At the age of 20 (21 in 9 days), his answer isn’t one I hear too often from our younger generation, ‘I have the desire to have a bigger purpose in life – to serve more people than myself ‘.  So, my bigger than life job as a Mother, has been realized, over and over again with THIS CHILD!  Funny words you might say but as a parent, we hope our kids ‘turn out alright’.  After spending years shedding sweat, tears and laughter – yep – he is ready for a life of his own, but with a solid life purpose.

Without purpose, there is no where to go and there is no where to hide. Too many of our young are meandering in circles, not knowing what to do with themselves, and worse yet, having no ambition or drive to be something more than who they are today.  Too many parents are busy with their own careers and life and have forgotten that their primary career was to raise responsible, mature and independent young adults. In my line of work, I have spent countless hours listening to parents, stressed, while trying to make a living, talk about their children, some with pride and some with disappointment.

So, on Sunday November 11th , remember Our Canadian Forces that have served us well, remember the ones we have lost, and remember the ones that are making a commitment to our country, today and tomorrow.

To my son – may you find all that you are looking for and need in this career, and this lifetime. I’m very proud of you.

To my nephew Nicholas – Your Aunt Lucie is very proud of your commitment to our country. Nicholas was sworn in August 2012 to Our Canadian Forces and graduated from Basic Training this week.  A picture of him is found on Facebook.

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