Above and Beyond” is the theme of this year’s Q-Comp return to work conference, expo and awards. Talking with Sonia Minniecon, manager of the Return to Work unit at Q-Comp, it’s easy to see that “Above and Beyond” is not just a catchphrase.
Sonia started the Return To Work Assist program in 2008, aiming to find alternative employment for injured workers who were unable to return to their previous job.
“A lot of the people we get, being at the end of their compensation claim are really struggling with where to go and what to do with their life,” explains Sonia. “The insurer closes their claim, most of them aren’t entitled to Centrelink benefits or monetary support and they’re really lost within the system.
“Return To Work Assist is a program that assists injured workers who don’t have a job at the end of their workers’ compensation claim. It’s a free and voluntary program.”
The initiative recognises the risk of long-term disability to an injured worker who stays out of work for an extended period of time. While some workers will not be able to return to the exact role they carried out prior to injury or illness, there are real options for them in different areas.
“One of our main roles is linking them to Government funded work or productivity placement programs. A lot of our role is researching that and understanding what’s available,” said Sonia.
Results-wise, Sonia’s team have a 48-49 per cent return to work rate. To boost those figures even further, legislative amendments now being made in Queensland will make it mandatory for insurers to refer injured workers to the program when their case is closed. This vote of confidence in Return to Work Assist is a big step towards improving return to work rates of all injured workers across Queensland, not just of the program's current volunteers.
Another of the Return To Work Unit’s initiatives is the “Above and Beyond” Awards (Nominations close July 2nd 2010), part of the annual Q-Comp Above and Beyond Return to Work Conference and Expo. The awards aim to recognise and celebrate the efforts people have put into good rehabilitation and return to work programs, and make public the link between workplace wellbeing and business success.
“It ties in with Return to Work Assist because it’s all about wanting to make sure our businesses are as productive as possible, securing Queensland jobs and keeping the economy strong,” explains Sonia. “The Return to Work Awards are really about helping us to reach our goal of promoting those safe work practices and rewarding people and businesses who do the right thing.
“Part of our role under the legislation is to promote and educate about the workers’ comp scheme. So it’s all about supporting those people who do those roles and this is a way of saying, “You’re doing a great job.”
The awards are open to employers, injured workers, rehab and return to work coordinators. For the first time, the awards are also open to case managers, who don’t need to be accredited with Q-Comp to be eligible. This enables access by case managers who are often working in isolation, with little exposure to networking or fresh approaches.
“We look at this as an opportunity for them to be able to play an influential role in managing,” said Sonia. “It’s a lot about sharing. There’s a lot of benefit to be had by networking with the rehab and return to work coordinators and talking about what they do within their organisation.”
The conference is hosting a range of keynote speakers, including author Amanda Gore, psychology expert Dr Peter Cotton and Return to Work Matters’ Occupational Physician Dr Mary Wyatt. The presentations will be followed by a number of workshops in the afternoon covering leadership, management, workplace health and safety, and OHS law.
The free expo is billed to provide networking and information sharing opportunities and will include delegates from rehab and return to work, workplace health and safety, insurers, employers and employer groups, unions, health professionals and legal professionals.
As for Sonia, it seems that the secret to an “above and beyond” approach to return to work is loving what you do.
“I love it. It’s definitely very rewarding. Having set up Return to Work Assist and Return to Work Awards and to see both of them flourishing – for want of a better word is very rewarding. But also getting people back to work is quite an unreal feeling.
“So that’s a great feeling for me and the staff to say, “Yes, we can help you.”
The Q-Comp “Above and Beyond” Return to Work Awards, Conference and Expo are on the 26th October at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre. More information and registration is available online at http://www.qcompconference.com.au/