Companies can reduce the negative impacts of absenteeism by implementing a disability management program, according to a Conference Board of Canada study released October 8.
The program needs to focus on prevention, the survey argues, as well as on helping employees return to work after absences.
"There is a solid business case for implementing a disability management program in the workplace," said Louise Chenier, senior research associate.
"In 2011-12, absenteeism cost Canadian organizations an average of 2.4% of gross payroll. This may seem like an insignificant amount at first, but it adds up to an overall loss of more than $16.6 billion to the Canadian economy."
A successful disability program would include:
- a focus on disability prevention and health promotion;
- a commitment to timely and safe return-to-work plans for those coming back after a medical absence; and
- full organizational support of the program.
The study is the second in a three-part series, with the first study outlining the cost of absenteeism to the Canadian economy.
The report can be found here.
