John Shervey is a US-based safety and vocational rehabilitation consultant. We’ve exchanged ideas with John for a few years.

John has a strong focus on practical interventions that influence supervisors. He’s given us permission to use a tool he’s developed to influence supervisors and the workplace.

Workplaces often respond to cost implications.

John’s graphic outlines the difference between the costs of an injury when there is tension at the workplace, versus when there is support at the workplace, BEFORE the injury. This is the first column: the Pre-Incident / injury Environment.

The outcomes post-incident / injury also depend on whether there is tension or support.  This the second column: the Post-Incident/ injury Environment.

Recovery from injury is divided into three groups:

• Resolution is those who recover quickly, regardless of any other influences
• Anger is defined as actively delaying recovery
• Passive-aggressive represents workers who have a fear of re-injury, or less motivation to recover

As you can see in John’s graphic, when there is support in the workplace before the incident, workers are more likely to end up in the resolution category.

When there is support post-injury, workers are also likely to be in the resolution category. The opposite occurs for tension, before and after the incident.

John’s point is that support in the workplace before and after an incident goes a long way towards improving return to work outcomes. Both act independently, and when both are present the best outcome is achieved. 

This is in line with many other articles on this site. What’s new and nifty about John’s tool is that it outlines the possible outcomes in monetary terms.

One needs to spend a few minutes working through the graphic to get a handle on the information. It’s worth it. If you are managing WorkCover injuries, this is key information to influence supervisors and managers.

Feel free to download here and draw up your own version for your company.