We would love to see you at one of our upcoming regional morning tea education events. These events are FREE and are for HR, OHS Staff, RTW Coordinators, Supervisor and Managers.

This years topics are as follows;

Achieving positive return to work outcomes with considerations for Covid-19 and the changing environment.

And

Effective use of Job Task Analysis to return workers to work quickly, improve GP engagement and RTW outcomes.

Sessions will run in Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Geelong.

Click here to see the full invitation and links to BOOK

To register your interest and/or have an invitation sent to you with further details. Please email vanessacariss@nabenet.com.au

Accredited MHFA Training
3 Courses in 2021

March 10th & 11th or May 13th & 14th or August 24th & 25th
Component 1 $88 plus GST, Component 2 $250 plus GST
Online Blended Community Course
Contact Jana Wray or Michael Jez Ph: 9981 9888.

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drive earlier than usual vaccination uptake and strong demand throughout the 2021 season. It is recommended that organisations offer flu vaccinations early (from April 2021) to ensure protection before the flu season peaks in winter.
Nabenet provides a professional service by a qualified Nurse Immuniser at your workplace NO ADMIN FEES – NO SET UP COSTS – NO TRAVEL COSTS IN MELBOURNE

For bookings please call Nabenet on Ph: 9981 9888.

As we see a gradual easing of restrictions across Victoria, employers will need to commence preparations for employees returning back to their usual place of work. For many employees this may be an easy transition to ‘pick up where they left off’ with regards to their routine and usual practices of work. For others whom have become accustomed to a change of routine and responsibility at home, balancing home and work life and a change of pace, the return to the usual place of work may require greater consideration from employers. Firstly, employers need to ensure they have documented and communicated their workplace COVID-safe plan to all returning staff and to clarify any concerns or operational / logistical queries. A risk assessment needs to have been conducted and control measures implemented to minimise identified risks. Employees need to be made aware also of the changes to their work environment, and what work practices have changed to ensure the organisation is meeting its workplace health and safety obligations.

For more information on transitioning employees back to work following COVID – here is a great resource from Safe Work Australia – https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/other-resources/transitioning-back-usual-workplaces

Employers also need to consider the physical and functional impact that being away from the usual place of work has had on employees. In particular with regards to manual or labour-intensive work, some employees may be ‘deconditioned’ or not at their prior level of physical and functional ability to perform their work duties. Many employees may have been keeping up regular exercise at home, whilst others may not. Employers should consider the impact this may have on the risk of workplace injury. It could be timely for employers to revisit policies and procedures around safe handling and operation of equipment. Employers should also consider refreshing staff on workplace manual handling practices and reviewing workplace ergonomics.

At Nabenet we have partnered with many workplaces to ensure sound workplace ergonomic and manual handling practices. Contact us on (03) 9981 9888 for a review of your organisation transition back to workplace program for our range of education and training services.

The 2020 ARPA Awards were held for the first time as a virtual awards ceremony on Friday 9^th October 2020. We are very pleased to announce that three Nabenet staff received excellence awards. Congratulations to the following Nabenet consultants.

Outstanding Consultant – Original Employer Services
WINNER Suzanne Abrahams—Nabenet

Outstanding Achievement in RTW – Physical Claim
WINNER Nadia Nannetti—Nabenet

Outstanding Achievement in RTW – Psychological Claim
WINNER Kirsten Read—Nabenet

We would like to congratulate and thank each of these consultants for their contribution to improving the lives of injured workers and the rehabilitation industry.

Congratulations to the following Nabenet staff who have been announced as finalists of the ARPA Victoria Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards for 2020!

Outstanding Consultant – Original Employer Services
Matthew Farrell—Nabenet
Suzanne Abrahams—Nabenet

Outstanding Consultant – New Employer Services
Emma Keys—Nabenet

Outstanding Achievement in RTW – Physical Claim
Nadia Nannetti—Nabenet

Outstanding Achievement in RTW – Psychological Claim
Kirsten Read—Nabenet

Innovation in RTW
Mark Manokaran—Nabenet

ARPA will announce the winners for 2020 at an awards presentation on Friday 9 October 2020. Good Luck to all our finalists

To find out how we can help click on the link below

Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like further information from an expert.
Phone: 9981 9888 or email vanessacariss@nabenet.com.au or markmanokaran@nabenet.com.au

During this time of change and remote working employers and employees still need to consider the psychosocial elements of good work design; work demands, job control, supervisor / peer support, role variables, managing relationships (remotely), recognition and reward, management of change and organisational justice.

The management group should develop strong, robust guidelines to support staff during this time and to address the above areas which are likely to be causing angst amongst the workforce. Employers should consider the likely changed and even increased mental demands on employees particularly when considering the change to the family and social dynamic and various stressors which have presented and are likely to develop over the course of the current landscape and social distancing precautions.

Key strategies and activities for management should include;

• Keep employees informed with regards to business changes and response to COVID-19 landscape. This may include changes to the way services are to be delivered or the products themselves or how employees are to engage with clients.
• Address clear expectations regarding work tasks and maintaining a routine. Structured work days support connection, certainty and positive mental health function
• Create times for genuine check-ins with employees, not out of ‘need’ but of ‘want’
• Set clear expectations around communication (the method, times of availability, parameters)
• Understanding that each employee is going to have a different home situation and demands such as looking after children and other domestic requirements
• Make time for self-care

Nabenet Health is continuing to provide health, safety and well-being consulting through ‘tele-health’ means – get in touch for more information at markmanokaran@nabenet.com.au or (03) 9981 9888.

The landscape of the workspace has certainly changed over the last few weeks. Many people are now working from home, a space familiar for home and domestic activities, and unfamiliar for occupational tasks. The elements of good work design (Biomechanical, Physical, Cognitive and Psychosocial) pertain to whatever environment is chosen to be the workspace and due consideration must be given by both employers and employees to manage the occupational health and safety risks.

Regarding the biomechanical elements (force, movement, posture and vibration) – staff should conduct a risk assessment or self-evaluation of their intended home workspace. Parts of the workspace that should be reviewed are;

• Location – avoid performing tasks where awkward postures are likely to be sustained e.g. bed, couch, recliner chair, outdoor setting
• Check for appropriate lighting, ventilation and temperature
• Try to replicate your usual workstation set up with a chair, desk, phone and documents within close reach
• Use headphones if utilising a mobile phone or even landline if able
• If using a laptop – consider utilising a second larger computer monitor and / or raise the laptop up to eye level and at the appropriate distance. Consider an external keyboard and mouse also.
• Make time for appropriate posture breaks and to perform exercises and stretches

Nabenet Health is continuing to provide ergonomic workspace consultation through ‘tele-health’ means –get in touch for more information and also a working from home checklist. markmanokaran@nabenet.com.au or (03) 9981 9888.