RIMS LIVE 2021

An undercurrent continues to build in support of stronger employee experience and engagement initiatives. Employees who are more engaged in their health are often more satisfied, less likely to have litigation concerns and trend toward better overall outcomes. With reimbursement tying to satisfaction and outcomes in some cases, a focus on experience is a critical business need. Together, we will explore ways organizations can refine their practices and partnerships to influence the employee and consumer experience.

Safety trends and protocols are changing every day, thereby reinforcing the need for ongoing training. Organizations must look at how these changes impact their care management model and facility management plan. Leaders must also look at what is changing from a tracking and reporting standpoint. Many are asking if a vaccine will change the paradigm and can it be required. We will discuss ways to create and execute an effective and sustainable safety strategy.

COVID-19 presumptive rules, the CARES Act, statutory state benefits, leave and accommodation changes across the country — navigating these legislative challenges is a hot topic among workers’ compensation and workforce absence management leaders. They are scanning the horizon for future issues that are surfacing and looking for any hidden costs ahead or ones that may already have been absorbed. We will discuss ways to get in front of the next wave of changes that will impact organizations.

Everyone relishes a good night’s sleep but for many, that is a difficult feat. Certainly, the events of 2020 and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the importance and necessity of getting recommended rest. It is not surprising that insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, and lack of sleep can significantly impact the next day’s activities. Falling asleep, staying asleep and achieving quality sleep can all be challenging. With an emphasis on over-the-counter products, you will hear leading pharmacists talk about medications and substances that can help people fall asleep and stay asleep as well as those that can disrupt the sleep cycle. Join us and relax as we share our personal stories and professional experience about drugs that keep us up at night as well as those that can aid our slumber.

With federal workplace laws becoming increasingly complex and state mandates continually changing, employers are looking for ways to establish a consistent leave of absence approach across the organization, regardless of what caused the injury or disability or where it happened. This includes establishing a well-designed return to work program that includes the interactive process. We will discuss trends and answer common questions surrounding leave of absence and accommodation laws and share practices to help overcome everyday challenges.

Given the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is evident that mental and behavioral health needs are on the rise. This is especially true for essential workers on the front lines as they are at the greatest risk for the emotional toll that daily exposure to the coronavirus can create. Through additional sensitivity coaching, organizations can find ways to equip employees with the right guidance, tools and support needed to take a proactive, engaged stance in addressing collective trauma.

At the onset of COVID-19, many businesses allowed employees to work from home as a means to stop or curtail the spread of the highly infectious virus. Some businesses are even planning for permanent work from home arrangements. However, many individuals are discovering that it’s time to pay attention to the ergonomics of their home setup. We will discuss putting ergonomics into practice at home, recognizing that the setup is often very different from the office and can be challenging.

Employees can feel agitated, anxious, fearful, distracted, angry or isolated as a result of certain events or circumstances at the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic frequently escalated and magnified many of these emotions among employee groups. Breathing techniques and learning how to be present in the moment can be learned. We will introduce mindfulness and meditation as excellent calming techniques and valuable tools at the workplace.

Life is fast. Work is hard. And relationships can create tension. Everyone needs time to decompress and recharge from daily demands. This session will share practical ways to address rising levels of stress that will help individuals feel their best and ready to embrace that next opportunity. We will discuss how to identify and address the root cause of major sources of stress, the importance and need to unplug from a world filled with 24/7 headlines and messaging capabilities, and the need for quiet reflection, self-care and the pursuit of happiness.