Understanding disability issues in the workplace
Are you taking full advantage of ALL the benefits in the workplace? Would you be protected if you had problems with a disability at work?
Learn more about the specifics of disability issues in the workplace:
Understanding of topics relevant to work incapacity and insurance
Dr. Kristin Tugman is vice president of client analytics and advisory at Prudential Financial. Her team helps employers and employees alike better understand and utilize disability benefits in the workplace, with the goal of minimizing employer costs and increasing employee engagement, satisfaction and performance. Dr. Tugman is committed to identifying trends and using research to maximize productivity and minimize absenteeism in the workplace, and she has a particular interest in the psychology of returning to work after a disability leave.
In this episode of Queer money® comes Dr. Tugman joins us to discuss the benefits of disability insurance and dispel the common misconception that it only applies to catastrophic events. It explains the challenges associated with returning to work after an absence and describes what employers, managers and colleagues can do to ease the transition back to work. Listen to Dr. Tugman’s advice on how to take full advantage of your employer’s income protection and health benefits, and what YOU can do to prepare financially if an illness or injury keeps you from work.
“The likelihood that you will need disability insurance over the course of your working life is approximately three and a half times higher than that you will actually need access to life insurance.” – Dr. TugmanClick to tweet
Topics dealt with in the workplace Disability issues
The most common medical reasons for disability
- Typically NOT a catastrophic event
- Broken bones, minor surgery
Why so few take out occupational disability insurance
- Lack of education about income protection
- Don’t think about going without income
The growing concern about disability issues in the workplace
- Work longer (over 50 = twice as likely)
- One in two people suffer from a chronic illness or a depression epidemic
What impact does the departure of employees have on employers?
- Loss of 8-9% of payroll due to disability-related productivity costs
- Cost of replacement if you do not return to work
The confusion about what it means to be out because of a disability
- Most people only think of catastrophic events
- ANY illness or injury that prevents work
How attitudes toward disabilities affect employees
- The longer we are away, the less likely we are to return
- Fear of returning to work
What employers need to know about disability
- Initiate proactive strategies to stay connected
- Make sure people feel safe returning to work
Dr. Tugman’s research on the psychology of RTW
- Important for colleagues to stay in touch
- More support = higher likelihood of return
What we can do to make returning to work easier
- Help your employees return gradually
- Let her know exactly what to expect
- Discuss options for modified service with your doctor
Dr. Tugman’s advice on securing income protection
- Find out about existing benefits
- Get disability insurance or a health insurance plan
- Ask the HR team for help
The seven causes of prolonged disability
- I don’t want to admit there is a problem
- inactivity
- Faulty thinking
- Fears surrounding RTW
- Fear of getting sick again
- Fear of boundaries
- Worry about what to expect
What Prudential is doing to create healthier workplaces
Use data to drive RTW programs
Promote policies that empower employees
Contact Dr. Tugman
Disability insurance resources