WorkSafe Victoria is holding a free workshop for employers on how to keep injured workers motivated during the return-to-work process
March 5, 2012
WorkSafe Victoria is holding a free workshop for employers on how to keep injured workers motivated during the return-to-work process.
The two-hour workshop, which will be held on March 15, will focus on the importance of having positive communication skills when dealing with injured workers to help improve return to work outcomes.
Real life stories on challenging cases that have reached successful results will also form a part of the workshop.
Around 29,000 Victorian workers suffer work-related injuries each year, according to WorkSafe’s statistics. Of those, 3000 remain out of workforce for more than six months.
WorkSafe project manager Danielle Jacobs says it is essential for businesses to have the necessary skills to help injured workers back to safe work.
“Helping an injured worker return to safe, sustainable work sooner – even if it’s on reduced hours and modified or alternative duties, can achieve a better return to work outcome in the long-term,” Jacobs says.
“It also helps the business maintain productivity and keep the cost of WorkSafe premiums down.”
A recent employer performance analysis has found employers who attend the WorkSafe return-to-work co-ordinator events on average achieved better return to work outcomes than those who did not attend.
The workshop will be presented by the managing director of AP Psychology and Consulting Services, Arthur Papagiannis, who is a registered psychologist with extensive experience in developing psychological workplace solutions for organisations.
The workshop will be held at WorkSafe’s head office at 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne from 2pm to 4pm.