The latest research from Safe Work Australia states that 127 355 serious worker’s compensation claims were lodged in 2010-2011. This equates to approximately 12 claims per 1000 employees (Safe Work Australia, 2013). Often, employees think that they will not be included in these statistics, however, in our industry (injury management) we see multiple injured workers each week who are a part of this.
Sustaining an injury can have an enormous impact in every aspect of a person’s life, however returning to work can often provide that routine and begin to return to a ‘normal’ life, while reducing the financial and emotional impact on the worker and those around them (WorkCover Queensland, 2014). Our ultimate goal is to assist the injured worker to return to work in their pre-injury role. However sometimes this is not always possible. Depending on the injury that they have sustained, the industry they work in, the duties and type of work performed, and their ongoing symptomology, these are all factors which influence a return to work, whether this be in their pre-injury role or requires the need to consider alternative employment options.
Returning to work promotes overall health and well-being, however when people are told they are not able to return to their previous occupation (due to the physical or mental demands of the role and their injury), which they may have been in for 20 years, this can be very confronting and life changing. When this occurs, Advantage Injury Management Services can offer a Vocational Assessment. This is an assessment that is used to identify the worker’s employment history, skills, strengths and interests. We also discuss a variety of industries/employment opportunities that could be suitable for sustainable job prospects. This assessment can also be used to identify suitable short and long term job options and investigates the training and/or up-skilling required for job preferences when re-entering the open labour market. A Vocational Assessment can also lead to identifying other services that Advantage Injury Management Services provide such as Job Search Training or Host Employment Program to assist the worker in a successful return to the workforce.
If you would like any further information on Vocational Assessments or any of our other services including Job Search Training or the Host Employment Program, please contact our friendly staff at Advantage Injury Management Services today (and keep your eyes peeled on our Blog page for more information coming soon!).
Blog - Samantha Storey (Occupational Therapist)