FROM: Ben Russell, CEO
TO: General Manager, Human Resources
SUBJECT: Reviewing STAR's Rehabilitation Program
Hi. First of all, I'd like you to have a look at STAR's overall system for dealing with any of our people who are injured at work. I want to be sure we're looking after our workers properly, and this is one of the key things you're responsible for.
I want you to check out our whole injury management system - whether it's functioning as it should be, whether it's consistent with our overall culture and mission statement, and whether it meets legal requirements. And check to what extent we're able to help injured employees get better faster by getting them back on the job - or on suitable duties - as soon as it's medically safe for them.
You should also consider whether our nominated rehab service providers are performing well enough and are suitable in terms of the types of specialist services they provide. Check out that they're being brought in when we really need them, are familiar with our workplace and are providing us with professional advice which is clear, concise and realistic. You might also need to have a look at what their return-to-work outcomes and costs are like. These should all be part of your review.
I'm concerned about the outcomes of recent injury cases, in terms of both cost and timely return to work. And I want you to find out if people are managing to stay in the jobs they return to after they're injured. Check whether costs are being properly monitored, and whether we're keeping our workers comp costs down by following good injury management practices. Most importantly, I want to know whether injured workers are being given suitable duties at the right time and at an appropriate level and whether the process is being properly monitored.
Naturally, we need to control health and safety risks and prevent injuries happening in the first place, but if risks are overlooked and someone gets injured, then we have to do what we can to mitigate the risk that caused the injury. We don't want to have repeat injuries happening to other people doing the same job, so we need to make sure we're eliminating or reducing any risks we find out about through people being injured while working for STAR. I want you to make sure this is actually happening.
So your task is to undertake a review of our policy, program and procedures. You'll find the relevant documents on STAR's Intranet site. Make sure you've also got up-to-date information about legal requirements - check out the workers compensation authority websites (one in each state) - and think about how our procedures and practices might be improved.
You should also get some feedback from our other HR staff across the country.
I'll look forward to receiving your report.
Ben Russell
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