ACC Advisory: Stay connected to create a safe workplace
ACC research shows that helping an injured employee stay connected to their workplace is good for their physical and mental recovery.
With Mental Health Awareness Week just having finished up on 2 October, it’s a great time to check in with your employees about their wellbeing, particularly those that might be off work due to injury.
Staying connected – encourages social interaction, routine, and a sense of purpose, which all contribute to a better recovery. For most people with straightforward injuries, work should be a key part of their rehabilitation after an injury.
ACC has created some useful resources to help you understand your role in recovery at work and start the conversation with your injured team members. Visit the ACC website.
Supporting your employees to recover at work makes good business sense.
▪ By playing an early and active role in their recovery, you’ll be helping them recover better and get back to their job soon
▪ You’re more likely to retain their skills and knowledge – the longer a person spends off work due to injury, the less likely they are to return to their job
▪ Your whole team will see the benefits of supporting an injured colleague back to work, boosting team morale and helping build a positive workplace culture
Physical injury and mental health are closely linked
Preventing injuries from happening in the first place is critical to ensure your workers go home to their whānau at the end of every day.
Employees that are under stress at work or have mental health issues are more likely to get injured.
Mental health issues can be present:
▪ Before a physical injury
▪ As a result or Alongside a physical injury
▪ After an extended period of time on weekly compensation
Mental health can be a contributing factor to prolonged time out of the workplace.
ACC has teamed up with the Mental Health Foundation
ACC has partnered and invested with organisations such as the Mental Health Foundation of New
Zealand, Mentemia and Farmstrong, that all have a common purpose of helping employers work
towards having a mentally well workforce with the aim to prevent injuries happening at work and keep
their people safe.
