The 7 (RTW) Habits of Highly Effective Employers (part 1)

It's human nature for us to like it when things are broken down into an easy three step program or some other numerical collection of steps until success is reached!  For example, there's the "5 minute ab workout" or the "10 minute transformation plan" or, my personal favorite, the ubiquitous "lose 50 lbs in three days" crash diets displayed on the covers of virtually every magazine in the grocery store checkout line.

I'm guilty of it too.  We've created our 10 step guide to building your own RTW program.  In hindsight, maybe it could have been 11 steps, but as humans, we like nice round numbers.  It's easy to mock these "n-step" programs, but sometimes there's something to them.  One of the more popular "quantified characteristics" publications is Dr. Stephen R. Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  If you're unfamiliar, you can read a concise summary of the book on the publisher's website or the reviews on Amazon.  While Dr. Covey didn't intend to write a book about RTW programs, some important parallels can be drawn between his 7 habits of effective people, and qualities of effective RTW programs. 
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This week we'll cover the first 3 habits...

1.  Be proactive
Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, focus on what you can influence.  If you're running a business with employees, it is highly probable that you will encounter a work related injury at some point. 
 You can be proactive by implementing a strong safety program, training your employees on proper techniques, maintaining equipment, and doing all of the "right" things, but accidents still happen.  What you can control is your reaction to the accident.  Face the reality that an accident ocurred, no matter how much you wish that it didn't. You are now in the driver's seat to influence the outcome of the WC claim.  Promptly report the claim.
Investigate the accident and implement procedures to reduce or prevent future injuries. Provide access to appropriate and effective medical care.  Offer modified duty when there is a work release. Maintain contact with the injured worker.  While no one wants an accident to happen, they do.  So what are you going to do about it?  By being proactive, you will reduce the likeliehood of negative outcomes due to circumstances you cannot control, such as the actual injury, economic conditions, secondary gain motivations, etc.

2.  Begin with the end in mind
Focus on the end result that you desire.  In this case, returning the injured worker to work and getting your business back on track.  There are various hurdles and obstacles that may arise during the course of a WC claim, however, the rules of the game are the same for every claim.  Forget the minor details and focus on the end result -- returning the injured worker to work.
 
3.  Put first things first
Prioritize what you need to accomplish. As habits 1 and 2 indicate, you first need to take responsibility and be proactive in successfully resolving the issue.  RTW should be a top priority for any employer who has experienced a lost time WC claim.  After completing an accident investigation, and ensuring proper medical treatment, develop your plan of action for how you are going to bring the injured worker back to work.  This may involve various steps -- meeting with supervisors of departments, reviewing job descriptions, getting updated work status reports, and writing a job offer letter.

Stay tuned next week for the remainder of the 7 habits that can make you a more effective leader, while positively influencing your WC program.