Fred C Church

Combining absense and disability management efforts can result in a more effective policy that is better for employers and workers, according to risk management specialist Dan McLaughlin and national practice leader Michael Klachefsky.

The two experts will address the topic at the 2012 Health and Productivity Forum sponsored by the Integrated Benefits Institute & National Business Coalition on Health. According to Klachefsky, employers can benefit from incorporating new policies such as transitional return-to-work options for workers suffering from an illness or injury.

This may mean decreased hours, a lighter workload or allowing the employee to work from a different workstation or location in order to foster recovery, although such measures are temporary. Such options are commonly used in cases of workers' compensation claims, but not necessarily applied when an injury or illness is not work-related.

A certified insurance counselor may be able to help an employer formulate a policy that deals with the workers' compensation and disability concerns. A successful policy could reduce the number of sick-days and absences claimed by employees, improve productivity and enhance employee satisfaction. This may also reduce the amount spent on employee benefits.