Intervention & Accommodation

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Confidence is critical

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The Role of the Supervisor

Regardless of who creates the workplace plan, the supervisor is primarily responsible for its successful implementation. This means reconciling the demands of the business, co-workers, and the employee and his or her own responsibilities. For this reason, the supervisor is crucial to the successful workplace plan development process.

Optimal results occur when:

• Supervisors are fully supported by their boss and senior management in facilitating accommodation. Keep your boss informed throughout the process. 
   
• Supervisors have adequate training in working with distressed employees, recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness in the workplace and finding solutions that maintain productivity.
   
• Supervisors are self-aware in terms of their reactions to emotional behaviours such as crying, anger, frustration and the "silent treatment." This awareness allows for more effective responses in times of stress.
   
• Supervisors are involved from the beginning in creating accommodation strategies with the employee that take into account the realities of the work environment and group dynamics.
   
• Supervisors should seek support when dealing with stressful issues at work. Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide support by phone to discuss difficult employee situations. If your organization also offers support through Human Resources, Occupational Health or mentorship, supervisors should be made aware of aware how to access this assistance.
   
• Before your employee returns to work or the workplace plan is implemented, the supervisor and the employee should get together to discuss the workplace plan. This discussion should include how it will be implemented, if there are any challenges anticipated, and the supports that can be offered.
   
• Where possible, the supervisor should ask the employee to explain how he or she may best support the employee's return to work. The ideal attitude of the supervisor can best be summed up by the question: "How can I help you be successful at work?"

Resources

The following are links to resources that may be of interest to you. If you click on a link you may be entering a third party website not maintained or controlled in any way by Great-West Life.