When Returning Employees to Work
Remember: It’s All Attitude
Dissatisfied Employees
The active-dissatisfied employee who is really unhappy with his/her situation will actively attempt to take advantage of the system. The proper response in attempting to return this person to work is much more drastic and severe and may include active investigation into their situation and fraud control programs may be necessary.
The passive-dissatisfied employee may malinger to stay out longer than medically necessary. While such workers may not willfully concoct schemes, they will quietly take advantage of a situation when opportunity arises – called “opportunistic fraud.” Fraud control tip lines often expose passive-dissatisfied workers. Constant interaction is recommended between physicians with follow-up examinations to avoid communication breakdown or further delays in returning to work.
For most employers problems often arise because when they do not think of employees in these four categories. Instead programs are developed (workersxzcompxzkit) addressing only one or two types of employees. Implementing such a limited response often has a detrimental effect on employer/employee relations. For instance, when an employer uses the response for a dissatisfied-active worker on a satisfied-active worker, new problems arise.
Likewise, hiring an investigator to follow a worker who is satisfied and eager to return to work simply angers the previously content worker, causing the worker, in turn, to become somewhat unwilling to return to work so quickly or at all. Therefore, it’s highly recommend employers adhere to the four-quadrant Employee Attitude Axis.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws are different. Consult with your corporate legal counsel before implementing any cost containment programs.
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ESSENTIAL: This article is Return-to-Work Essentials content.
