Workplace Disability Management Systems: Injury/illness rehabilitation, return-to-work plans, and accommodation

According to Statistics Canada, approximately 22 percent of Canadians aged 15 and over — 6.2 million people — have at least one disability and consequently face barriers to full participation in society. As the prevalence and cost of work disability continue to rise, organizations are increasingly implementing more comprehensive disability management systems to promote the health and well-being of all workers throughout the employment lifecycle. In this session, experts will discuss best practices for disability management and offer practical guidance for workplace parties seeking to improve accessibility and inclusion at the organizational level. Special attention will be paid to the new National Standard on work disability management systems, released by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) in May 2020.

• What are the key goals and components of a disability management system? What are the expected outcomes and benefits to employers, unions, and employees of implementing a comprehensive disability management system?
• What role does prevention play in a disability management system? What health and wellness initiatives can workplace parties use to prevent work disability? How can workplace parties best prepare for and manage threats to employee health and safety?
• What early interventions can be included in a disability management system to help employees with disabilities stay at work?
• How can workplace parties ensure strong organizational support for employees returning to work after a leave of absence? How can employee benefits be structured to promote return to work?
• What initial steps should workplace parties take to begin building a disability management system?
• Who are the key stakeholders in work disability management? What skills and competencies are required within an organization to implement a disability management system and manage disability claims?
• How can workplace parties ensure that employees and supervisors have the tools, information, or training needed for a successful disability management system?
• How can workplace parties evaluate and measure the effectiveness of a disability management system?
• What is the role of the union in disability management? What steps can unions take to encourage employers to implement disability management strategies or improve existing policies and procedures?
• What standards or other sources of guidance on disability management may be useful to workplace parties?