Workplace culture and injury management: “Give and take” models |
  
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Workplace culture and injury management: “Give and take” models |
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Roughly speaking, there are three models of return to work culture – the “give, give, give” model, the “give and take” model, and the “take, take, take” model. Best practice injury management relies on give and take.
“Give, give, give” model
When an organisation gives excessively:
| • | Injured or ill employees become complacent. |
| • | Other staff and co-workers become frustrated. |
| • | Morale is reduced. |
“Give and take” model
When an organisation gets the “give and take” balance right:
| • | Employees are provided with help and support. |
| • | If employees are in need, their wellbeing is the organisation’s first priority. |
| • | In return, it is expected that employees will take an active role in injury prevention and rehabilitation, return to work at the earliest appropriate time, and contribute to the process with communication, commitment and integrity. |
“Take, take, take” model
When an organisation takes excessively:
| • | Employees suffer from burn out. |
| • | Staff turn-over is high. |
| • | Employees follow the organisation’s “take, take, take” example, and try to figure out what they can get in return. |
