Home uses ‘pot of gold’ to reduce WSIB claims
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 -- Natalie Miller
Woodland Villa is hoping to reduce the number of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims by creating a ‘pot of gold’.

The Long Sault long-term care home is experiencing a higher than average number of claims, which is wreaking havoc on the nursing budget, says Kim Kavanagh, nursing administrative services manager.

“We’re kind of at a record high this year for people on WSIB,” says Kim.

“Our nursing budget is through the roof.”

Twelve employees, two dietary aides and 10 personal support workers/health care aides are currently on modified duties. “Because they’re on modified duties they have to be replaced on the floor,” says Kim. The employees primarily have back or shoulder injuries caused by lifting, turning or bending over the wrong way while on the job.

An employee, currently on WSIB-modified duties, approached Kim regarding the high number of staff on modified duties. “All of the staff are concerned about how our WSIB claims will ultimately affect our funding next year,” says Kim. “So, the two of us decided to get together with the injured workers to come up with a plan to get them back to their regular duties.”

They introduced a pot of gold containing all of the modified hours. “Any staff on modified duties who can work even two hours regular duties will be taking hours from the pot of gold. Our objective is to empty our pot of gold and eventually have everyone back to full duties.”

Kim hopes this will provide incentive for staff to pick up even a few regular duties as soon as they are able. Staff meets every Wednesday to brainstorm suggestions to help employees return to work.

Kim says she doesn’t have any particular theories as to why this year’s numbers are so high. However, she says Woodland has a low turnover rate and aging employee base.