Disability management: why use consulting services?

In Canada, over 97% of companies have fewer than 100 employees. Most of these companies do not have the in-house resources to manage employee health issues, due to budgetary constraints. However, disability management consulting services can improve employee well-being and satisfaction, while saving companies time and money. The good news is that these services are offered by external resources.

Efficient disability management

A disability management consultant acts as an intermediary between the employer and its employees, handling the medical side of the case. This person is usually a nurse with practical experience in fields such as orthopedics, surgery, psychiatry, and emergency medicine, but is also familiar with the administrative process of case management.

For example, a nurse consultant can perform the following tasks:

  • intervene at the outset of an absence due to accident or illness, identifying the causes and recommending preventive and curative solutions;
  • work with the insurer or other partner to determine the best care available for a given diagnosis and facilitate access to service providers;
  • answer employees' questions about prescribed treatments or steps to be taken.

Thanks to their medical training, this resource limits the risk of error or slippage in the orientation of cases. Their impartiality also helps maintain good relations within the company. By being able to rely on a professional opinion, employers and employees are less likely to feel aggrieved in the handling of a case.

Employee benefits

Early intervention in the event of illness or accident generally speeds up recovery and reduces potential after-effects.

What's more, since every case handled by a professional external resource is protected by medical confidentiality, the people affected by the intervention tend to reveal more. This enables the nurse to better understand complex cases and find the right solutions.

Thereafter, appropriate care, an approach that encourages adherence to treatment and regular follow-up help to restore health. This support during treatment and when returning to work contributes to the employee's well-being and reduces the stress and anxiety that the process can cause.

Benefits for the employer

Good medical and administrative management of disabilities offers undeniable advantages, not only for the health of employees, but also for the company's productivity. As already mentioned, the speed with which a consulting resource takes charge of a member of staff speeds up his or her recovery. For the employer, this means shorter absences and lower associated costs.

One of the factors that unnecessarily prolongs the period of absence from work is the waiting time required to obtain consultation or care in the public system. An external consulting resource often has access to private services offered at a reasonable cost, generally lower than the financial repercussions of absenteeism.

In addition to reducing lost productivity, an effective disability management program helps employers stand out from the crowd of current and potential employees. At a time when workers are increasingly looking for a healthy, balanced work environment, the collaborative care offered by a disability management consultant shows employees that the company cares about their well-being. A powerful argument in a context of labour shortage.

Ultimately, having access to an external disability management consultant is an important lever for promoting the well-being, satisfaction, commitment, and sense of belonging of all staff members, while limiting the impact of absenteeism on the company.

Véronique St-Pierre
Véronique St-Pierre
Consultant, Nurse absence management