In the working world, we are continually barraged with new, popular management theories that promise to bring success to our business. These concepts come and go—from yesterday’s trends of “employee empowerment” and “reengineering” to today’s models of “mission-critical benchmarking” and “knowledge management.” Unlike these popular ideas, “occupational health” is far from becoming the next business buzzword.

Although it lacks the widespread awareness of other business concepts, occupational health is a management tool that can increase company productivity, reduce health-related costs and improve employee wellness. It has proven to be a powerful resource in corporate risk management and loss control strategies.

As a board-certified occupational medicine physician, my team and I have spent two decades refining the practice of occupational medicine to provide employers with better “tools” to manage workforce health. We have expanded beyond the walls of industrial clinics to bring occupational medicine to your doorstep—where it can be used effectively to support corporate health, safety and productivity goals.

Through our former experience in the field as practicing occupational medicine physicians, we gained valuable insight into the complex challenges employers face in managing employee health and safety. From ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements to managing runaway health costs associated with work-related injury/illness—protecting workforce health and safety is an intense responsibility.

In addition to our own insights from the field, a 2000 survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide and the Washington Business Group on Health echoes the frustration of many employers challenged with managing work-related illness/injury cases. The report states that 61% of the 106 companies surveyed identified “lack of cooperation from physicians” as a factor hindering effective absence management. These findings point to the very real disconnect that sometimes occurs between employers and physicians. Most physicians rely exclusively on a medical perspective to treat employees. They often don’t understand the ramifications that disability decisions have on the employee and employer. Also, they may not have a clear understanding of unique workplace issues and policies, and thereby not consider the full range of treatment options.

This is where WorkCare can play a role in your organization. We work along side and in collaboration with your EHS and human resource staff to deliver integrated, client-specific programs that are truly aligned with health, safety and productivity goals.

Our emphasis is placed on providing strategic, preventative and population health programs that guard against employee health risks. We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of your business, offering a range of programs, such as medical director consulting services, medical surveillance/OSHA compliance, workplace and community exposure studies and onsite occupational health services.

As the “medical advocate” for you and your employees, our mission is to improve employee health, safety and productivity through physician-managed consulting services, technology-based information systems and customer-focused business solutions.

You may not hear the buzz of occupational health at the next “think-out-of-the-box” seminar—so we invite you to learn more about how we can make “occupational health work for you.”