Return to Work Matters - The power of partnerships

Webinar Recording: Adjusting to change

Karen Stevens | Adjusting to change is difficult for all of us, but it can be particularly difficult after a work injury.
Adjusting to change is difficult for all of us. But it can be particularly difficult after a work injury, when the individual is vulnerable. This webinar explores nb&a rehabilitation group's approach to assist workers prepare for change, to move from their pre injury role to new and different jobs. Covering all areas of the adjustment process, the program takes into account the impact of a workplace injury on an individual's work life, dealing with and accepting any feelings of grief or loss (such as loss of job roles) and assists the individual to accept and manage their changed circumstances. more >>

Just think about it...

Robert Aurbach | "The truth is that stress doesn't come from your boss, your kids, your spouse, traffic jam, health challenges, or other circumstances."
"The truth is that stress doesn’t come from your boss, your kids, your spouse, traffic jams, health challenges, or other circumstances. It comes from your thoughts about these circumstances." — Andrew Bernstein This quote was among several that the resilience coach, Graeme Cowan recently posted. I'm not sure who Andrew Bernstein is but it strikes me as profoundly true and potentially helpful. more >>

Will Comcare expansion leave workers behind?

A bill currently with the Australian Senate could see Comcare "opened up" to businesses through the removal of the national competition test, which may see injured workers being sidelines, writes Kevin Jones for Safety at Work Blog. Australian Lawyers Alliance president Geraldine Collins warns that “the proposed changes to Comcare will not only throw state and territory-based workers’ compensation schemes into fiscal chaos, but will also see injured workers left out in the cold." Jones urges OHS professionals to ask whether they understand the potential consequences of the bill.

Mobile app with evidence-based decision support diagnoses more obesity, smoking, and depression

Smartphones and tablets may hold the key to getting more nurses to diagnose patients with chronic health issues like obesity, smoking, and depression - three of the leading causes of preventable death and disability. Mobile devices loaded with a custom app that prompts clinicians to follow evidence-based guidelines to make treatment decisions and document care plans makes nurses significantly more likely identify these health issues during routine exams, reports a new study. "Our app focused specifically on the work that nurse practitioners do to identify health problems, counsel patients, and coordinate care plans, resulting in higher diagnosis rates and more opportunities for intervention.”

How stress can lead to inequality

Stress is a staple of our lives today, and we know intuitively that it can influence our confidence in competing with others. But how exactly does stress do that? Scientists have found that stress can even be a cause of social inequality rather than just a consequence of it. "People often interpret self-confidence as competence," says Carmen Sandi. "So if the stress of, say, a job interview, makes a person over-confident, they will be more likely to be hired - even though they might not be more competent than other candidates. This would be the case for people with low anxiety."

Treadmill desks offer limited benefits, pose challenges in the workplace

Treadmill desks can help overweight or obese office workers get out of their chairs and get moving, but a 12-week study by an Oregon State University researcher found that the increase in physical activity was small and did not help workers meet public health guidelines for daily exercise. The research found that workers who used the desks increased their average number of daily steps by more than 1,000, but did not record any significant weight loss or changes in Body Mass Index after 12 weeks. "Treadmill desks aren’t an effective replacement for regular exercise, and the benefits of the desks may not justify the cost and other challenges that come with implementing them."

Workplace bullying a vicious circle

A study published today reveals a ‘spiral’ of abuse in which the victims of bullying become anxious, leaving them less able to stand up for themselves and more vulnerable to further harassment. The research suggests that employers should not only crack down on workplace bullies, but also help victims gain the skills to cope with difficult situations. “This study shows that the relationship between workplace bullying and the psychological impact on victims is much more complex than expected," said researchers. “Workplace bullying leads to poor health because the victim is exposed to a very stressful situation – resulting in anxiety and lack of vigour."

Stress linked to worse recovery in women after heart attack

Young and middle-aged women experience more stress than their male counterparts, which could contribute to worse recovery from acute myocardial infarction, according to a new study. “Women tend to report greater stress and more stressful life events than men, potentially because of their different roles in family life and work, as compared to men,” said researchers “This difference in the level of stress may be an important reason for sex-based differences in recovery after acute myocardial infarction.”