Last week we covered the first 3 habits of highly effective people, and highlighted how these "habits" can be utilized by Employers seeking to return their injured employees to wellness through modified duty. This week's post will cover the remaining 4 habits (be proactive, begin with the end in mind, and put first things first) and their application to Return to Wellness.
So, without further ado...here are habits 4 through 7.
4. Think win-win
It's self-explanatory. You win. I win. We win. It's not only about providing a solution that saves you, the employer, money on your WC insurance premiums. It's about returning injured employees to a state of wellness after their injury. It's about getting your business back on track after a loss. You gain productivity while your injured worker gains the physical benefits of working. You approach the challenge of RTW with integrity and with the end result in mind. You do it because it's the right thing to do, not because you have to do it.
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who, while you were talking, was formulating their next thought, completely ignoring what you were saying? Sometimes people do this without even thinking, particularly when the topic of discussion is something we feel very strongly about. Before you say, "We don't have any modified duty work for Larry, he can only come back if he's 100%," listen to the options and solutions that your Eastern team can provide. Understand the statutory provisions and the hurdles that must be overcome in any claim. Learn what the true costs (direct and indirect) are associated with this particular claim. Understand the potential repercussions of your decision before shutting down any options.
It's a two-way street. We need to listen and understand your circumstances before trying to apply a solution. This is why we have more than one approach to resolving RTW challenges...we have a whole toolbox full!
6. Synergize
Sounds like a pop-psychology buzz word, right? Please refer to the old adage "two heads are better than one." Synergy occurs when two or more people use their experience and skills to build off of each other's ideas to attain results greater than what they could've acheived alone. This is where your Eastern team comes into play. You have an entire team of people committed to helping you resolve your RTW issues. Maybe the Risk Management Consultant was out for a visit last week and saw some RTW ideas that the Claim Representative didn't think of, or maybe you have some ideas but aren't quite sure if they would solve the RTW problem. By using our combined knowledge, the possibilities are exponentially greater than leaving it to one person.
7. Sharpen the saw
While Dr. Covey has a new book out, The 8th Habit, we're going to stop at seven. By all means, you can keep going. This last habit focuses on the physical, emotional/social, mental and spiritual realms of life. How does this relate to RTW? Well if you haven't noticed, we take a similar, holistic, approach to RTW. Returning to wellness is about restoring physical and psychological wellness to injured employees. Injured employees who are given modified work maintain their mental sharpness and skills required for their jobs, too. The seventh habit is about self-renewal and keeping yourself fresh and ready to approach future challenges. Keeping a fresh outlook will also produce a better outcome. So, take some time to recharge your batteries and stare down your RTW challenges.
Oh, and please be sure that all sharp saws have a proper guard in place.
While you may not embrace all of these habits, they are an excellent framework for how you approach RTW challenges.
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