The Standard’s Workplace Possibilities℠ Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary and Introduces New Services

The innovative disability program, which has helped more than 12,200 employees return to work, looks to the future

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Standard’s Workplace Possibilities program — which provides a holistic approach to managing employee absence and disability — is celebrating its 10^th anniversary and introducing new services to help employers improve employee health and productivity in their organizations.

“Since 2008, the Workplace Possibilities program has enabled employers to achieve better absence and disability outcomes for their employees and has resulted in more than $31 million in gross benefit cost savings,” says Brian Kost, senior director of the Workplace Possibilities program. “We’ve tailored Workplace Possibilities to the needs of modern employers who face unprecedented pressure to reduce costs and support employee productivity through their benefits plans. The new services unveiled today are specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of employers as they manage employee absences and disabilities.”

The Workplace Possibilities program provides participating employers with a proactive approach to help employees stay at work and avoid a disability leave or return to work after an absence. The new services make it easier for employers of all sizes to manage employee absences and disabilities effectively and include:

• Access to a co-managed claims team. For employers with more than 5,000 employees, the new Workplace Possibilities+ package provides dedicated clinical resources to review all open disability claims. This co-managed team includes specialized Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act or ADAAA assistance and ergonomic evaluation tools to help support employees’ accommodation needs.
• Specialized ADAAA accommodation and ergonomic evaluation support. An ADAAA accommodations specialist can help identify employees who need accommodations, evaluate an employee’s specific situation through conversations, review medical documentation to develop personalized accommodation recommendations and collaborate with an employer’s HR team to implement solutions.¹
• Ergonomic tools to help proactively address employees’ health conditions. Employees can access an online risk assessment tool that provides training and guidance on proper ergonomic techniques before medical interventions are required. Workplace Possibilities consultants also can provide telephonic consultation with employees who may benefit from additional assistance.
• Job demand analysis. An online job analysis tool can help managers document the requirements, risks and restrictions of their employees’ jobs. The tool also can identify interventions that can help keep employees on the job or help employees safely and effectively return to work.
• Community partnership and rural relocation services. Employers can access a network of community partners — including nonprofits and local chambers of commerce — to help support alternative employment and training opportunities within regional industries. The program can also help rural employees identify career paths and opportunities outside of their local area.

The Workplace Possibilities program continues to provide on-site consultants to work directly with the HR teams of employers that have 1,000 or more employees. A consultant can integrate within a company’s workforce to proactively identify employees for stay-at-work or return-to-work services and help implement solutions.

To date, the Workplace Possibilities program has helped employers realize the following measurable reductions in absence- and disability-related costs:

• 12,222 employees who were able to return to work successfully
• 4,693 employees who benefited from stay-at-work assistance
• $9.7 million for return-to-work interventions

“The Workplace Possibilities program was developed to help people get back to work and increase their productivity,” says Kost. “We achieve this by developing deep relationships with employers. By understanding each employer’s culture and internal processes, we are able to build individual programs that help support employees in their quest to get back to work.”

¹ The Standard provides administrative, informational and referral services and a client should not rely on WPP to ensure its compliance with ADAAA requirements.

About The Standard

The Standard is a marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries. Insurance products are offered by Standard Insurance Company of 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, Oregon, in all states except New York, where insurance products are offered by The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York of 360 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 210, White Plains, New York. Product features and availability vary by state and company and are solely the responsibility of each subsidiary. Each company is solely responsible for its own financial condition. Standard Insurance Company is licensed to solicit insurance business in all states except New York. The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York is licensed to solicit insurance business in only the state of New York.

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Source: The Standard