Case study 4: Understanding disability to create a better working environment
The manager was looking for help in changing her behaviour, as he believed she was ‘playing a game'.
- Employee was off due to a foot issue, returned to work to then be off sick due to a back injury.
- The client had noted that although she had a back condition, she was able to move freely. She had not provided consent for further medical information from her GP.
- She was on a rehabilitation programme doing four hours work a day when Minty & Friend got involved.
- The shift manager was finding that the employee was elusive - he eventually offered her the option of seeing EHS again, reducing her salary in line with her hours or having a meeting with Minty & Friend.
How Minty & Friend helped
- Minty & Friend spent a lot of time and effort pinning the individual down to attend a meeting at mail centre.
- Minty & Friend conducted a face-to-face employee interview. Perhaps because of this meeting, the employee suddenly increased her hours back to full-time.
- Minty & Friend were delighted she had returned to full hours but also assured the employee that we were available if she had further issues and would work with her manager and herself to resolve them.
Benefits to the client
- Significant cost saving by reducing management time (cost per hour) taken up by situation.
- Cost saving through increase employee's attendance.
Added value
This case actually had limited involvement of Minty & Friend in terms of time but had a profound impact. As a result of the proposed meeting:
- The individual knew they where being challenged by disability experts.
- She changed her behaviour.
- She managed her condition better.
- Her productivity increased.
- Managers' time was better used
Even if the individual was 'playing a game', she cannot claim she was not supported. If she is genuine, further assistance is available.
