Transitional Work Decreases Lost Work Days
Robyn Caples
Integrated Disability
Since February 2007, there has been a 53 percent decrease in lost work days at Ohio State. The Transitional Work Policy was implemented at that time to allow employees who have an occupational or non-occupational injury or illness with temporary physical and/or psychological restrictions to continue working throughout their recovery as they rehabilitate to their full capacity.
When the Transitional Work Policy became effective, two of Ohio State’s largest departments, Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) and Student Affairs, volunteered as pilots.
FOD and Student Affairs led the way to decreasing absenteeism and keeping productivity high—resulting in a happier, healthier work environment. Since the policy’s implementation, about 1,191 employees campus-wide have participated in the Transitional Work program.
The Transitional Work Policy benefits both the employee and the department. The policy allows employees to either work with restrictions, performing different tasks in their home department, or work in another department performing different tasks. The policy has reduced the expense of utilizing temporary hires and/or having full-time staff work overtime to cover for absent employees.
The Integrated Disability team would like to thank all the departments that have allowed employees to be part of their team in temporary placements. The following departments and managers have gone above and beyond in accommodating temporary placements and are specifically recognized for their assistance:
- Steve Sipe, operations manager, Student Affairs
- Judith Hoffer, nurse manager, The Ohio State University Hospital East
- Becca Hubbard, human resources benefits consultant, Facilities Operations and Development
- Jason Gilbert, nurse manager, The Ohio State University Medical Center
- Alisa Vance, nurse manager, University Medical Center
- Phil Hill, assistant director, Office of Development
- Mike Mandelkorn, assistant director, University Medical Center
- Sue Beal, manager, Medical Records, University Medical Center
- Dan Hausman, manager, Student Affairs
- Ken Groves, nurse manager, The Ohio State University Hospital East
- David Crawford, senior director, Communications and Marketing, University Hospital
- Karen Towslee, director, University Medical Center
Integrated Disability would also like to recognize the Ohio State Cooperative Extensions which had no lost time workers’ compensation claims for 2008.
As a reminder, eligible university faculty and staff have 12 months from their date of disability or absence from work to file for Short-Term (STD) or Long-Term (LTD) Disability benefits. If you’re unsure if you have STD coverage or would like to discuss your options prior to going out on medical leave, contact Integrated Disability at id@hr.osu.edu, (614) 292-3439, 1-800-678-6413, or visit hr.osu.edu/benefits/db_integrateddisability.