Rehabilitation with occupational health services
Occupational health services are an expert resource that support the employer with measures such as workplace rehabilitation. In many rehabilitation cases, it may be advisable to enlist a rehab coordinator from occupational health services. They play an important coordinating function in rehabilitation matters and can, in discussions with you and other occupational health professionals, provide suggestions for suitable interventions, for example medical contact (sick leave), counselling with behavioural science specialists/psychologists and physiotherapy appointments. The rehab coordinator will arrange appointments with employers and employees and where necessary, invite Försäkringskassan to a rehabilitation meeting where the rehab plan is followed up.
If the ill health is related to work, sick leave must be authorised via occupational health services. If the ill health is unrelated to work, sick leave may need to be authorised via a medical centre or specialist physician. Even if another care provider has authorised the sick leave, a rehab coordinator from occupational health services can still provide good support to the employer for matters regarding the return to work and adaptations.
If as the head of department/equivalent you choose to obtain support from a rehab coordinator, you will first discuss the task with the coordinator before they contact your employee. It is important that occupational health services receive a clear picture of the situation, both from the employer and the employee.
During rehab meetings, as the head of department/equivalent, it is important that you are up-to-date on where you all are in the rehab process. Occupational health services contribute by holding the meeting and summarising the initiatives that have been made and provide assessments about any future initiatives. As the head of department/equivalent, it is your duty to create and follow up on a rehab plan in Adato in consultation with your employee, and decide on any suitable adaptations necessary when the employee returns to work. It is also your duty to approve proposals from occupational health services, link rehab plan template. In order for rehab meetings to be as successful as possible, it is important that when you participate, you have the power to make decisions regarding, for example, work adaptations. An actively involved manager is a success factor in the return to the workplace.
You can find more information about occupational health services here and information about how to arrange an appointment for your employee.