Case Study - £37,000 Absence Saving

Case Study 2 - A Live Demonstration of Active Care in motion

The New Managed, Employee Assistance Programme, EAP Service

Active Care has been specifically designed by Health Assured, in order to meet the needs of corporate clients who simply demand higher levels of engagement, value and results from their Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

It Works, and here is a genuine case study...         

Setting the scene

Absence Record                                                                                                                                        :                                                  

 The History - Given by the client

"Susan rang to inform us that she had disturbed a Burglar at her house and had been the victim of an assault (non-sexual). A Whiplash injury, fractured Ribs and a sprained Wrist were suffered. Following the incident she has been continually signed of sick by her GP, with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (but told to arrange her own counselling) and a painful Neck.

Physiotherapy has been offered by the employer as has counselling - this has been rejected by the employee. An adjusted role has also been suggested, but again rejected. The latest "sick note" is for 4 weeks.

The Intervention

• A call was made by one of the Occupational Health Nurses, within the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Occupational Health Guidance Notes and a Consent Form for a Management Referral were issued to the employee and duly signed.
• An appointment was booked with an Occupational Health Physician (OHP), to undertake an Independent Medical Examination and assess if she is able to return to work on adjusted duties (also if the DDA applies).
• The report was received and the content queried by the Medical Director at Health Assured, as it was felt to be a classic regurgitation of the employee's view point. The OHP had suggested that the employee was unable to work, as she would be unable to return home after dark, and she also requires Counselling and Physiotherapy.
• It was reiterated that the proposed working day would be amended to 9am - 3pm, and that Counselling and Physiotherapy had been previously offered by the employer and rejected. 
• The Physician modified the report to confirm that the employee would be able to return to work immediately, subject to the revised working hours (until the counselling had concluded) and that she was unable to lift any weight exceeding 7.5kg 
• One of the Occupational Health Nurses (also a Diploma qualified Counsellor and Supervisor) subsequently contacted the employee to agree a phased Return to Work, and to again reiterate the support available from the employer. The employee took the proposed Schedule to her GP and she resumed work the following Monday (just 8 days after our intervention). 
• Counselling has been arranged via the Employee Assistance Programme, EAP and the employee is undergoing intensive Physiotherapy.
• The employee has made good use of the 24 hour support helpline within the Employee Assistance Programme.

The Result

1. The employee felt supported and valued - with fast track access to suitable care
2. Return to work was achieved - within 8 days of the referral being made - generating sufficient financial saving to pay the annual premium of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
3. The employer has PHI Insurance and a claim under the policy has been averted.
4. Positive reinforcement that the integrated benefits work.

If Health Assured had been involved earlier, we could have saved 18 weeks pay + the cost of an Agency Replacement - estimated to be in the region of £37,000