Benefits of a Formal Disability Program

What if there was a program that could deliver higher productivity, lower absenteeism, improved morale and better employee retention? Our research shows that a formal stay-at-work or return-to-work program could lead to benefits for your employees and your company.¹

Let’s take a closer look at how the right disability program could lead to long-term business benefits.

Productivity

Some employees come to work but are not fully functioning in their job because of an illness, injury or other condition. This is called presenteeism, and it’s estimated to cost the U.S. more than $1.5 billion a year.² If an employee’s condition isn’t treated proactively, it could worsen and lead to a disability leave down the line. A robust stay-at-work program from the right carrier can help you identify and find ways to support an employee who could benefit from existing resources or workplace accommodations.

Absenteeism

Do you have employees who are frequently not at work? An effective stay-at-work program can coach managers to identify absentee employees, and ensure they seek treatment for health conditions before they lead to claims.

Morale

Approaching an employee’s condition and situation with compassion requires effort to understand what’s going on with their health and in their life. But it’s worth it. A compassionate mindset can help you identify accommodations that make employees feel more supported and appreciated. Over 30% of employers with formal disability management programs report better workplace morale.¹

Employee Retention

Employers with formal disability programs reported greater success in boosting employee engagement and controlling costs, and 37% saw higher employee retention.¹ Keeping existing talent reduces your need to recruit new employees and can help you realize your company’s vision.

The Right Disability Carrier is Key

Results from our study also suggest that working with a carrier specializing in disability management can make your programs more successful.¹ Creating a disability program is only one part of the equation. The right disability carrier can coordinate all your benefit resources to provide employees a full range of support and help you manage requests for accommodations.

The benefits of a formal disability program are clear and The Standard’s Workplace Possibilities^SM Program offers a desirable whole-person approach. Lowering absenteeism and boosting productivity, morale and employee retention can go a long way to helping you accomplish your company’s goals.

To find more tips, best practices and success stories related to disability management, check out our Workplace Possibilities Blog.