<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Assessing the effectiveness of your RTW system > Other assessment methods

In addition to regular worker surveys, there are several other methods for 'mapping' a RTW system:

Informal audits

An informal audit uses a series of ad hoc measures to assess your RTW system. This can include:

•analysing financial costs

•understanding the most common injuries and their psychosocial risk profiles

•obtaining feedback from employees, supervisors and managers about the current system and their ideas for improvement

Organisations may already collect information that can indicate whether work disability is a problem. Look out for high levels of work absence, slow reporting of injuries, longer than average time off work compared to other organisations and a high proportion of claims with high psychosocial risk scores.

Interviews with injured employees, their supervisors and key managers can highlight areas of concern. These discussions should cover the entire RTW process, from initial injury reporting to the implementation of psychosocial screening and matched care interventions.

 

Surveys and ‘toolbox talks’

Existing surveys

Many organisations have pre-existing channels for acquiring employee feedback. These can be leveraged to gather information about the injury management system, including psychosocial aspects. If your organisation conducts regular employee surveys, consider adding specific questions about psychosocial hazards in the RTW process.

‘Toolbox talks’

For smaller teams, exploring work injury management issues in group settings and managers' meetings can provide valuable insights. Toolbox talks are brief, daily or weekly and informal group discussions on a specific safety topic. These meetings can be used to discuss aspects of the RTW process, share experiences and gather feedback from employees.

Analysing psychosocial data

Once psychosocial screening data is collected organisations can work with OH&S or HR to understand workplace issues that will inform RTW practices. Consider these approaches:

Trend analysis

Look for patterns in psychosocial risk across different departments, job roles or injury types. Track changes in risk profiles over time.

Correlation with outcomes

Analyse the relationship between psychosocial hazards and RTW outcomes. Identify which factors are most strongly associated with delayed RTW in your organisation.

Benchmarking

Compare your organisation's psychosocial hazard profile and RTW outcomes with industry standards or similar organisations.

By thoroughly assessing your current RTW system through regular worker surveys, informal audits and comprehensive data analysis, you can identify areas for improvement and develop targeted strategies to enhance your organisation's approach to injury management.

This holistic assessment approach, which includes the integration of psychosocial screening and matched care, will help ensure that your RTW system is effective, efficient and responsive to workers' needs.