Helping Absent Employees Find A Way Back Into Work

Getting back into work after a long absence due to illness or another cause can feel like a job in itself.

A course being launched by the University of Derby, at a major national health exhibition this week, will train more specialists who can develop, plan and monitor ëback to workí programmes for staff on long term absence, tailored to their individual needs.

The course ñ which can be pitched at undergraduate or postgraduate qualification level ñ has been developed in partnership with Rehabilitation Network Ltd, based in Yeovil, Somerset. The company works with insurers, employers, NHS Trusts, charities and Government organisations to try and help people back into employment after a long break.

University business experts are launching the new course at their exhibition at Stand 81 at the Health and Wellbeing at Work event, being held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham yesterday and today (Thursday 6 March).

The UKís leading event for human resources, occupational health and healthcare professionals responsible for the wellbeing of workers will cover issues such as how employers can reduce sickness absence, get people back into work more quickly and provide more jobs for people with disabilities.

Robin Pepper ñ Business, Training and Development Manager at the University ñ said: ìThe aim of the course is to reduce the time frame in which someone returns to work, and the associated costs, whilst offering the support needed by the individual in agreeing a realistic and manageable plan for getting back into the workplace.î

The new course is aimed at organisations looking to train staff to help reduce the amount of worktime lost due to illness or other reasons. It will include practical work for students and the use of real case studies.

Jenny Chapman, Director at Rehabilitation Network Ltd, added: ìIt is wonderful to have the opportunity to put our combined experience of Vocational Rehabilitation practice into a teaching framework.

ìWe very much hope it helps a range of practitioners working in the field, as a conversion and skills development course.î

For further information about the course please contact Robin on email r.pepper@derby.ac.uk or call 01332 591078.