BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES inspire CASE STUDY
How to help your employees return to work after sickness
Has your company ever had a member of staff take time off work due to sickness and has it been difficult to get them back into the workplace? Bristol-based Chamber member Kinetic Health tells us how workplace capability assessments can help to make recommendations about employee capability, motivation, and likely recovery times.
Challenges A large national private health company had an employee that had been on sick leave for six months following a loss of hearing due to a progressive auto-immune disease. All communication had broken down between Sophie* (on sick pay) and employer. The employer consulted Kinetic Health to make contact with the employee to find out:
• What are the full implications/issues/side effects of Sophie’s illness?
• Has Sophie’s doctor given any timescale or outlook on recovery?
• Will Sophie be able to return to full duties? Does she want to return to work?
• Does the condition have any implications for work performance/attendance/job content?
• Is this condition covered under the Equalities Act?
• Are there any reasonable adjustments that could be made that would assist Sophie to return to work?
As a responsible employer, the client was trying to support their employee back to work and was willing to make all changes that were practicable to allow her to return to her job.
Solutions A case manager was assigned who re- established contact with the employee and learnt that she had significant hearing loss and so a home visit was set up. During the subsequent assessment, it was discovered that the employee could no longer fulfill her job role in a clinical environment due to her hearing loss and severe vertigo. Furthermore the employee’s confidence had been damaged greatly and she wished to retire. The case manager reinforced her employer’s
commitment to assisting her back to work and making workplace changes for her as much as practicable. After exploring all options, it became evident that it was the employee’s intention to not return to work. A detailed, clear and professional report was produced including medical information, answers to questions and employee’s capability and motivation. Importantly, it also documented that the client had taken all necessary steps to assist their employee back to work.
Results Had the professional services of Kinetic Health not been appointed to this case, the employer may still not be in any contact with the employee and guessing as to what direction to take next. In this case, both parties were satisfied with the outcome.
Why they joined the Chamber of
Commerce: “We decided to work with the Chamber to raise awareness of our services within the South West region.” Greg McDonnell, Kinetic Health
FACTFILE COMPANY: Kinetic Health LOCATION: Bristol WHAT WE DO: Occupational Health
HISTORY: Kinetic Health started as a private physiotherapy practice and they saw the need for professional and accessible workplace capability reporting. They specialise in addressing the impact of long term absence and advising on systems that can help support employees back to work.
Visit:
www.kinetichealth.co.uk
NAME: Colin Piper POSITION: Export Manager E:
colin.piper@businesswest.co.uk T: 01275 370944
What does your role at Business West involve? I help businesses overcome problems or pain points; gather information; plan and formulate strategies that allow them to improve and enhance their export activities. Examples would include relationships with agents/distributors overseas, planning an overseas visit or tradeshow, market entry strategies and routes into a specific market.
What were you doing before you worked at Business West? For a number of years I worked for a discovery chemistry business based in North Cornwall. Initially as a chemist and then in a business development role, I spent approximately 10 years visiting pharma, biotech and agrochemical businesses, mainly in North America, Europe and Japan. This role was very much about building and developing relationships; managing our agents/distributors and promotion of the business.
What is the most unusual business you’ve encountered? I’ve met many different businesses and although some seem unusual they all have found a niche, so I wouldn’t like to single one out.
What is your top tip for anyone starting out in business? Plan and talk to people outside of your immediate network to get an honest opinion of your idea.
What are your interests outside work? I’m lucky enough to live in West Devon where we have some beautiful countryside to enjoy. I volunteer with both the Scouts as a district treasurer and the Air Training Corps with whom I’ve qualified as a range conducting officer, allowing me to conduct live firing exercises.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 insight 15 INSIDER
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