We had a great time meeting new people and seeing some familiar faces. Please enjoy the pictures and read some of the comments we received from our guests.

The numbers don't lie.  Mental health claims are on the rise. The Mental Health Commission of Canada estimates that mental health problems and illnesses typically account for approximately 30 per cent of short- and long-term disability claims. The decision by the WSIAT (Decision 483/11) expanded the scope of mental health claims benefits entitlement. Now, more than ever, employers should be re-evaluating their claims management processes to reduce costs.

To provide you with more information, our Registered Nurse at Clear Path, Victoria Mummery, shared some insights on mental health and how the symptoms these individuals are faced with can affect the workplace.

Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental health disorders that are unrecognized or untreated not only damage an employee's health and career, but can also reduce productivity in the workplace. Adequate treatment, on the other hand, can alleviate symptoms for the employee and improve job performance.  Accomplishing this requires a shift in attitudes about the nature of mental disorders.

Did you know that 65% of workplace absences can be linked to depression and anxiety?

Situational Depression and Anxiety

• One or numerous events trigger feelings that interfere with normal functioning
• Treatment
  • Therapy/counseling required to help deal with these events
  • Contact your Employee Assistance Program for free, confidential services
  • Don't know if you have EAP or how to access it? Contact Clear Path and we will find out for you in a confidential manner

Biological Depression and Anxiety  

• Struggled with depression and anxiety for many years
  • There might be a family history
  • Recent events might have triggered a response that seems disproportional to the event
• Treatment
  • Medications might be required to balance the neurotransmitter substances in the brain
• Contact our Health Consultant/Nurse at Clear Path if you require assistance to sort out what steps you can take

Remember

Mental health problems affect many employees, but the stigma attached to having a psychiatric disorder may cause your employees to be reluctant to seek treatment - especially if they fear it might jeopardize their jobs. Check out our in-house training course for more information.

Clear Path Learning Sessions
The return to work process for workplace injury claims and mental health claims can be a tricky process to navigate.  Don't let a complex or difficult claim become a problem for you.
Come to our upcoming learning sessions on Nov. 13 in Kitchener to learn more about WSIB claims management:

• Managing Difficult Claims - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Preparing for a WSIB Appeal - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You will soon be receiving your September 2012 NEER statement from the WSIB and if you're like most employers, you'll find the report (and the entire NEER program) quite complicated and difficult to understand.

Well today is your lucky day! Two of Clear Path's WSIB Claims Managers who work with NEER on a daily basis,  Josie Martiniello andJennifer Wright-Tahiraj, have shared their expertise on what you need to know about NEER statements, the steps you should take when you received them and tips on what you should look out for.

 1. What is a NEER statement? Why is it important?

• A NEER statement is the financial statement from WSIB which details a company's claim costs
• The NEER program is a cost-driven plan linked to accident prevention and return to work
• Simply put - the program rewards firms that have low accident costs with rebates andpenalizes those that don't with surcharges issued each September

* Important reminder from Jennifer: "Your September statement provides you with your rebate or the surcharge that you will be required to pay WSIB by the end of the year."

2. How do you read your NEER statements?The first page provides you with the details of your company such as:

• Your account number, firm number, the type of industry you are in, all of your WSIB claims up to that statement date
• A summary of your NEER costs claim costs for the last four years
• Your performance index - how you are doing compared to expected costs for each year
• Your September statement also includes a calculation of your pending rebate or surcharge

The second page lists all employees who have sustained an injury and received benefits from WSIB within the past four years by claim year and includes:

• Costs of their accidents
• Any pension costs
• Overhead
• Projected future costs

3. What should you do once you receive your NEER statement?Josie says the first thing you should do is check your performance index.  Your performance index is calculated based on your expected cost and NEER cost ratio:

• If your performance index is greater than one (1.0), unfortunately your NEER costs have exceeded what WSIB has determined should be your expected costs, ultimately resulting in a surcharge position for that claim year
• If your performance index is less than one (1.0): Congratulations, your NEER costs are less than your expected costs, ultimately putting you in a refund position for that claim year

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*A reminder from the experts, "Mistakes do happen and you should always check that the employees listed work for your company at the time of their accident and are in the right rate group." 

4. What are things you should look out for when reviewing your NEER statements?

• Always keep an eye out for high costs associated with your employee's non-pension costs
  • This may be due to delays in recovery resulting from other medical conditions that are prolonging and enhancing the injured worker's condition

Jennifer and Josie recommend using a medical consultant help you decode the medical jargon establishing a clear medical connection to the delay in recovery

FYI: At Clear Path our claims managers and medical consultants can assist you to combine the medical information and WSIB policy to support your request for SIEF cost relief.

5. How do you avoid high NEER costs on your NEER statement?

• Jennifer and Josie give a simple response, the best strategy is "not to have an accident at all."

But how can you be preventive?

• Analyze your workplace to see if there is a trend in injuries among your employees - back pain, sore necks, is it in a certain area of the workplace, etc
• Develop an action plan to prevent these injuries from happening again
• Assign your injured employer work that they are able to do while they recover - paper work, supervising, mentoring junior staff
• If your worker cannot come into the workplace, stay proactive in communicating with them and their doctor to get them back to work

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A great tip to reduce your future NEER cost is to return workers to work before December 31stso there are no active claims at the beginning of the next year. Specifically, the worker must receive at least one paycheque before the December 31st deadline for this to apply.

6. Last question. What happens if you continue to ignore your NEER statements?

• Ignoring your NEER statements will prevent your company from the opportunity to reduce your WSIB costs or enjoy potential refunds
• Understanding your NEER statements helps you to realize the impacts of your claims management and return to work decisions
• It is in your best interest to keep an eye on your quarterly statements and make adjustments as quickly as possible to avoid surcharges or loose a potential rebate.
• Keeping an eye on your monthly cost statements will also allow you to make adjustments even sooner!

Clear Path offers informative, hands-on workshops that will help you develop a much deeper understanding of the WSIB's NEER program and discover strategies for reducing your WSIB claim costs.

Upcoming Sessions include:
Demystifying the WSIB's NEER Program (our most popular learning session)

• Thursday, November 29th 2012 - Mississauga Holiday Inn
• Tuesday, December 4th 2012 - Kitchener Holiday Inn
• Thursday, December 6th 2012 - Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
• Click here to learn more and to register.

Managing Difficult WSIB Claims (including mental health claims, complex claims and claims from "repeat offender" employees) 

•  Tuesday, November 13th 2012 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m - Kitchener Holiday Inn
• Click here to learn more and to register.

Preparing for a WSIB Appeal

• Tuesday, November 13th 2012 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m - Kitchener Holiday Inn
• Click here to learn more and to register.

If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact  us at Clear Path. You can reach us at 519-624-0800 or info@clearpathemployer.com.