Shoosmiths – return to work policy
| Company name | Shoosmiths (Law firm) |
|---|---|
| Sector | Legal |
| Number of employees | 1,239 |
| Type of workforce | Office workers |
What issue was the organisation facing?
In the past three years Shoosmiths has lost 22.5 days to work related ill-health or injury. The main reasons as to why these days have been lost are due to slips and trips, back pain, and pulled muscles. To combat these injuries and other illnesses they have a range of processes in place.
What action did the organisation take?
Shoosmiths has a return to work policy. Their Human Resources department monitors all staff sickness records and all periods of absence are investigated. Members of HR staff liaise with the employees to ensure follow up action is taken.
In order to aid employees return to work, Shoosmiths:
- Keep in regular contact with them and offer advice from previous experience
- Advise them to see a doctor and get professional medical advice
- Offer them reduced hours for a period time
- Regular assessments of their health
- Specialist counselling if needed
- It may be possible for them to work from home either part or full time on a temporary basis
- Ask them to complete a self-certification form on their return and have it signed by their manager.
- Management of stress in line with our comprehensive Stress Management Policy
- Provide private health care cover for speedy treatment
What has been the impact of implementing interventions?
A focus on 'workplace well-being' has helped Shoosmiths to get the best out of their staff by promoting a workplace environment in which staff are given appropriate help and guidance with any problems they encounter, and have an appropriate workload suited to their experience, capabilities and level of responsibility.
For the third year running the firm has scored at the top of an external survey measuring employee engagement and they believe it is the firm’s attitude to the well being of its staff that has influenced this result.