WorkSafe provides a support package to assist injured workers return to work. The WorkSafe Incentive Scheme for Employers (WISE) offers generous incentives to employers who provide ongoing employment to injured workers who cannot return to their pre-injury employer.
Recently WorkSafe conducted an extensive marketing campaign to Victorian employers promoting the use of the WISE program; Nabenet has been particularly successful in the placement of workers as a result of this promotion and has continued to use the WISE program to place motivated people into suitable employment.
What are the benefits of the WISE program?
- Experienced people who are motivated to return to the workforce can be suitably matched to work in your business.
- A wage subsidy of up to $26,000 per worker is available to the employer over a 12 month period.
- WorkSafe Injury Insurance Protection for the new employee.
Most employers are prepared to “give someone a go” and if the process is not time consuming it can add real value to a company’s bottom line. Nabenet will discuss your recruitment needs and endeavour to find the most appropriate worker to meet them. We help with the paperwork to ensure that the process is as streamlined as possible.
Recently Nabenet was approached by a legal firm to source a receptionist for its busy suburban practice. We discussed the position with the employer and it was agreed the position would be appropriate for some of our workers. Given the nature of the business there was a real need for accuracy and confidentiality.
“Julie” was at first apprehensive at the idea of a return to work, her knee was still sore and she wasn’t sure it would stand up to a full day of “being on her feet”. Nabenet discussed this with her GP and explained Julie’s potential new role. He agreed that subject to her having an appropriate ergonomic chair and being able to stand and sit as required the position would be appropriate.
Nabenet assisted the new employer with the paperwork required to start Julie in the new role and conducted a work site assessment to ensure that her new role was going to be successful and not aggravate her injury.
Julie reported that she felt really scared on her first day, but with the support of her new employer and Nabenet she is now really enjoying the work and says it is good to be contributing to society again. She said “When I first hurt my knee I thought how on earth am I ever going to get through this and get my life back in order but now because of someone being prepared to see that just because I had a sore knee I still had the skills and experience to do the job and with the support of Nabenet, I know I am going to be fine”.
Nabenet continues to monitor Julie’s return to work and has developed a strong professional relationship with her new employer who has recommended our services to a number of clients.
So what are the steps required to access the WISE program?
1. Consider carefully what the role is, not just the job title but the day to day duties. Which of these are vital and which could be modified if required.
2. Contact Nabenet and arrange for one of our consultants to have an obligation-free discussion about the role.
3. Nabenet will endeavour to select an appropriate candidate for your position and arrange an interview for you with them.
4. You conduct the interview as you would any other recruitment interview and if you believe the candidate is suitable, advise Nabenet.
5. Nabenet will assist with the WISE paperwork and arrange a worksite assessment to ensure that the duties involved will not aggrevate the worker’s injury and give you additional peace of mind.
6. Nabenet will monitor the worker’s return to work and be there to assist should any problems arise.
If you have any questions relating to the WISE program or if you consider that you may have a position where it would be appropriate to use the program please contact Greg Mossop at Nabenet on 03 9329 3898 or gregmossop@nabenet.com.au.
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