Zarah ChoudharyLegal & General Group Protection has partnered with vocational rehabilitation specialist Ergocom, to provide employees with the support they need when unable to work due to an illness or injury.
The partnership was launched to help both the employer and employee understand what job roles the individual can do, and what is needed for them to continue working in a new role.
This service will be made available following a group income protection (GIP) claim, where the employee is ready to work, but due to personal circumstances can no longer fulfil their previous role and, as a result, will be supported to seek alternative options.
This service has the potential to include everything from individual assessment and detailed reporting to coaching which helps the employee develop additional skills and confidence.
Ergocom’s Vocational Redirection Assessment will examine the employee’s vocational strengths, needs and career potential, taking into account any barriers or functional limitations to identify suitable, alternative roles.
A report will be provided which identifies a vocational goal, suitable career options, detailed information about job roles and training requirements and costs.
This includes costed recommendations for any assistance required, such as support, training, vocational counselling or coaching, CV development and interview preparation.
It was designed to address any barriers and facilitate a sustained return to work in an alternative, suitable role.
Where vocational counselling or coaching is deemed relevant, this will be delivered by employability specialists with a wealth of knowledge on funding for training, volunteering, self-employment and veteran resources.
Various counselling or the coaching options will include group support sessions, one to one bespoke packages and additional support for those facing added challenges, such as the over 50s.
Learning will be provided as part of a blended approach mixing online, with self-directed learning.
Helen Valls-Russell, director and occupational therapist at Ergocom, said: “We’re really excited to partner with Legal & General, an organisation that shares our passion for taking a hands-on and proactive approach to rehabilitation.
“Like Legal & General, we wholeheartedly believe that good work is beneficial for health. And just because an individual can no longer carry out their existing role, it doesn’t mean they cannot find another, more suitable role.
“We have particular expertise working with complex cases and enjoy excellent results in achieving sustained return to work for these individuals.”
Vanessa Sallows, group protection claims and governance director at Legal & General, said: “We continually review the support we provide to our clients and their employees from a claims proposition perspective, and we identified an area where we could strengthen our provision even further, following feedback from our customers.
“Ergocom bring a wealth of expertise in Vocational Redirection Assessment and Coaching, complementing the skills of our existing in-house Vocational Clinical team by helping ensure a sustainable return to work for more people following a group income protection claim, regardless of whether they’re able to return to their existing role or not.
“We’ve long known that work can be the driving force for wellbeing and a goal in recovery, wherever appropriate.
“Consequently, work is the driving force behind our “Be Well. Get Better. Be Supported” outcomes-focused framework, and also our partnership with Ergocom, which will help to evolve and enhance our framework even further.”
