Warren Penny & WISE: Facilitating Greater RTW Outcomes - The Recovre Group Pty Ltd

Warren Penny has proven to be a leader in the field of New Employer Services, and is a strong WISE advocate. He understands the value of WISE in facilitating greater RTW outcomes, while also utilising the WISE structure to ensure appropriate worker and employer support is provided post placement. His ability to promote WISE within the Geelong/Ballarat region and to effectively match injured workers with appropriate employers enables him to achieve exceptional outcomes for the injured worker, new employer and the Victorian Scheme.

Recovre is a National Workplace Rehabilitation Provider with 5 offices within Victoria. We focus on the needs of all Victorian workers regardless of whether they are urbanely or regionally based. Recovre’s philosophy is based on the realisation that Work is a critical aspect of our society, not only considering employer productivity needs but also due to the health benefits of work for individual people. Recovre considers WISE to be an integral part of the realisation of this philosophy and has been informed by WorkSafe that we are responsible for almost 1/3 of recent WISE placements.

Describe what do you do better or differently in the way you manage injured workers' return to work compared to other occupational rehabilitation consultants?

Warren does the following:
•Active consideration, use and promotion of WISE with EVERY NES worker.
•Practically educates employers and workers on WISE, including worksite employment support as well as the financial benefits.
•Visually demonstrate possible WISE benefits to employers via an innovative designed spreadsheet. Also focuses on the benefits of the upfront $2000 WISE payment.
•Explains the advantages of WISE/Agent funded retraining over Traineeships
•Market research on region’s growth areas, focusing on medium/small employers who may benefit from WISE. Focus on non-advertised positions.
•Supports employer with smooth WISE payments, post 13 week sustainability period

Provide an example of a great return to work outcome or initiative you have achieved/developed?

•Woman: 48yrs
•Claim: Post 52 weeks
•Psychological Injury: Significant psychosocial barriers; recent personal physical assault.
•Education re WISE benefits; positive job focused encouragement; facilitated consultation with key parties; strategic agent case review; doctor support for RTW.
•Arranged interview with one of Warren’s WISE network employers and coached claimant pre-interview.
•Interview unsuccessful in securing employment however encouraged claimant to attend another job interviews/site visits with prospective employers.
•Secured employment in local growth industry: “community services sector”. Warren introduced WISE and assisted employer with registration.
•Post-placement in place. Employment sustained for 3 months.

What's the secret to the success of your return to work initiative and/or as an occupational rehabilitation consultant?

•Warren is a “conduit” for WISE, maintaining the integrity of WISE; educating parties of the multi-facet benefits. Increase WISE exposure with insurer/employers.
•Intensive early NES servicing including a strong focus on WISE.
•Encourage workers to send a WISE flier with every resume.
•WISE promotion at the Vocational Assessment and then monthly with workers
•Pre-complete WISE forms for employers – simplifying submission process.
•Target medium/small businesses within local growth industries that may benefit from WISE.
•Face-to-face relationship development resulting in employers approaching Warren regarding vacancies.
•Educating “employer-gatekeepers” on WISE benefits ensuring appropriate internal referral.

Where possible please provide information that will support your entry, this could include return to work results.

RTW outcomes: January 2011–May 2012 (due to 13 week sustainability lag)

Warren’s results:
•RTW rate 58%
(NES commencements compared with actual placements)
(NOTE: WorkSafe’s Benchmark “upper range” is 33%)
•13 week sustainable RTW = 63%.
(Actual placements compared with placement achieving 13 week sustainability) (NOTE: Victorian provider sustainability average in April 2012 was 20%)
•47% WISE conversion rate
(NOTE: Sustained placements which utilised WISE)

Considering current use of WISE and also the overall RTW rates and Sustainability rates, these Statistics are all considered to be highly significant.

*Disclaimer:
The publishing of entries on the WorkSafe Awards website and or/the granting of an award does not constitute any endorsement by WorkSafe Victoria of a product, method or service, or the occupational health and safety performance of the workplace. Monthly Champions must undergo expert review to progress through to the stringent validation and judging process and can only progress to the next stage of entry once WorkSafe are satisfied that the entry/entrant has met the relevant award category criteria and terms and condition of entry.

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