New ‘Return To Work’ Services Bolster Prudential’s DI Programs

Business Wire, Inc.

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Prudential Group Insurance, a business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), has enhanced its Return to Work services to help employers manage absence costs and workforce productivity, and provide support for employees returning from leaves of absence.

The company’s Return to Work program provides employers with absence and short term disability reports and customized worksite solutions. New tracking, validation and reporting capabilities give employers vital information about an employee’s leave status in real time. Reports about daily absences, the reason employees are out of work and their expected return date help employers plan and manage staff.

“Getting employees back to work sooner by focusing on what they can rather than can’t do benefits individuals and the entire company. We find that employees are often eager to get back to work even if it’s in a modified capacity or transitional role,” said Jim Porter, vice president of Disability Product Development with Prudential Group Insurance. “For the employer, a structure that supports a smooth transition can help manage costs and maximize productivity.”

Prudential’s Group Disability Insurance business offers a full suite of options that employers can choose from or leverage to build a full customized Return to Work program. These services include:

Program Development Counsel: Assistance with the development of a Return to Work program based on an analysis of company resources, policies, culture, and goals.
On-site Physician Disability Training: Clinical training and file review consultation for internal medical staff to better equip them to assist employees in matters of wellness and benefits.
On-site Dedicated Vocational Resource: A resource tofacilitate all or selected return to work services, including on-site job analysis, frontline management coaching, and worksite accommodations.
On-site Ergonomic Assessment: Evaluation, analysis, recommendations, and reporting on ergonomic options and implementation of a service delivery plan.
Employee Training and Coaching: Training for managers on workplace accommodations, workstation modifications, flexible schedules, vocational resources, employee assistance programs and modified duty.

“Research from our employee benefits study showed that employers are using return-to-work strategies, and are also achieving desired cost savings from these programs,” said Porter. “We take a consultative approach that provides a deep understanding of the impact employee absences have on the workplace and the individual. As a result, we are able to advise employers on steps that can make a significant difference to Return to Work program effectiveness, and employee wellness and safety.”

Prudential Group Insurance manufactures and distributes a full range of group life, long-term and short-term disability, long-term care, dental, and corporate and trust-owned life insurance in the U.S. to institutional clients primarily for use in connection with employee and membership benefits plans. The business also sells accidental death and dismemberment, and other ancillary coverages and provides plan administrative services in connection with its insurance coverages.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/.

Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

Group coverages issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ.