Month: August 2021

The following piece is from ICBA Training instructor Pamela Bragg of Sarkany Management Inc.

Modified duties allow injured workers to return to work at the earliest opportunity. This not only aids in the worker’s overall recovery but also provides workers the opportunity to maintain existing positive working relationships while reinforcing job attachment. From the employer’s perspective, modified work reduces the costs associated with claims, and the replacement and re-training of a temporary employee.

But what about the worker who requires a recovery away from the workplace? How do you maintain those relationships and reinforce engagement? Historical data has shown us that the longer a worker is away from the workplace, the less likely they are to actually return. Further, as the longer-term impact of COVID is being understood we are discovering that extended time away from work can lead to a sense of mental and emotional disconnection from the workplace. The more a worker continues to feel connected to your organization during their absence, the more likely they are to not only return, but to stay engaged in their job. Given today’s shrinking labour pool, this is more than a nice to do, it’s a need to do.

Sometimes though, this is easier said than done, so here are a few tips to help keep your injured workers engaged during an absence.

• Keep them connected. Include your absentee workers where you can. Think about upcoming staff or company events.  Involve them in your toolbox talk.  Invite them to virtually join company training.   Keep them current with what is going on in their space – even if it is via live streaming, recorded video, or newsletters.
• Let them know you are thinking about them. Send them thoughtful care packages from the team; arrange a video lunch with their workgroup – and have lunch delivered – including the injured worker. New swag ordered? Send them something.
• Have them learn something new. Offer them online training opportunities. ICBA’s online programs feature dozens of training courses that cover topics from safety training to construction law or project management.  Our training partners also offer a variety of soft skills – so there is something for everyone. icba.ca/courses
• Encourage self-care. During times of injury or illness, you want to encourage your workers to prioritize their mental health and wellness. Ensure your workers have access to the company resources they may need, like your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or benefit plan information.
• Communicate regularly – and get their supervisor involved. Direct supervisors play a critical role in employee engagement, from creating respectful and trusting relationships with their direct reports, to communicating company values and expectations. Studies show that workers leave managers, not companies – ensure your supervisors and managers are continuing to build and foster relationships – even when their worker is absent. Video conferencing is best – this is not a task for instant messaging.
• Have a clear return to work plan – and collaborate on it with your worker. This step is vital. You want to ensure your worker is aware that you are all working together toward their recovery and their return to the workplace.  Having goals in place is crucial to your worker’s recovery.
• Assess their readiness to return. Perhaps the worker is not ready to be back on site, but what about working from home? See the ICBA HR Toolkit for a Work-from-Home policy template and employee acknowledgment forms.
• And finally, stay within the limits. Employers must abide by any limitations prescribed by the worker’s medical practitioner. Make sure your worker does not feel compelled to participate in any tasks outside of their recovery plan.

While engaging your worker can be beneficial for all, it should only be done with their physician’s consent.

ICBA member Pamela Bragg is the owner of Sarkany Management Inc., a Human Resources Consulting firm, which offers a broad range of HR services. Pamela has a comprehensive background in executive level human resources and holds a Masters Certificate in Strategic Human Resources & Organizational Change. https://sarkanymanagement.com

The following ICBA member profile first appeared on EnergyNow.ca on August 30, 2021.

Service on Site in Fort St. John has been providing solutions for pumps and compression repair, services, rentals, and products in Northern British Columbia since 1997. President and co-owner Chris Babcock (with wife Laura Babcock) founded the company in 1997 when his employers chose to divest themselves from field work, which, at the time was Babcock’s particular area of expertise. His new company was successful almost immediately and it was not long before he hired his first apprentice, A.J. Everton, who is now the manager. As he travelled farther afield to service more customers, he continued to expand the company. Today the company has grown to 13 employees who cover an area from the North-West Territories to Prince George and even Alberta.

Chris says he has always been honest and tried to do a good job, treated his clients as friends, thereby creating a good reputation, offering clients the full package with a picker service truck, welders, and torches. Mobile services are complete with 1 ton and 3-ton service trucks that are equipped with 3-ton and 4-ton pickers and welders to service Northern BC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fully experienced with start-up and commissioning procedures. The trucks are air equipped and have SO-ton portable pulling equipment.

Service on Site recently completed construction of a new 10,000 sq ft shop to accommodate growing demands, which can get quite large. It is fully equipped and capable of handling almost any type of refurbishing, with expert millwrights on staff who repair and rebuild pumps and air compressors. The company also offers rental pumps and regular plant maintenance, mainly for the oil, LNG, and mining industries and has 2 laser alignment machines for precise shaft alignments. Because the pumps Service on Site work on generally run around the clock, regular maintenance is essential and something most companies opt for. Babcock says a six-month service schedule is a good idea. Most companies have to change out their pumps every five or six years.

Service on Site stays on the leading edge of pump solutions with the newest service technology that includes cutting edge laser machine alignment systems, new products such as packing, plungers, skid packages and mechanical seal innovations.

The Parts department has the largest industrial pump, parts, and mechanical seals inventory in the area. It is well stocked in various pump parts ie: packing, gaskets, O-rings, mechanical seals bearings, etc. By doing a large volume of business, the buying power is equal to much larger companies, and the price advantage is passed onto the customers.

Service on Site boasts a partnership with Xylem, a large global water technology provider and are a distributor for Viking Pumps and Flygt Products. The company is not restricted, if it doesn’t burn fuel and it turns, they can fix it!

Service on Site feels the apprentice training program is important, currently there are 3 apprentices employed. Chris says he was fortunate that he had good mentors and they taught him the value of having apprentices. It is the way to get the young people going. They are often loyal and looking at the future of becoming a journeyman, and because of the diversity of projects the company works on, the future is very bright. Chris is excited about the company in preparation for new opportunities.

Service on Site is a COR, !SN, Comply Works and PICS Certified.

Please visit the company website: www.serviceonsite.ca