Employer Services: Innovative Rehabilitation Consultants



Absence Management (MAP Program)MAP – Managed Abilities Program ™

The Managed Abilities Program supports the health of employees and application of their abilities in the workplace, which in turn, supports the organization. The values of respect and individual and organizational responsibilities flow throughout the program.

We believe “Employee Abilities are more important than Disabilities”. The appropriate application of those abilities in the workplace will contribute to individual and organizational goals, including those of personal health and patient care.

Our program guarantees a reduction in your sick leave costs.


Wellness and Workplace Prevention – Risk Assessments

IRC provides services which will reduce the amount of work place injuries, sick time taken by employees, employer WCB costs, and management involvement. Managers can focus on day-to-day operations of their units, thus providing better customer service and organizational efficiency.

IRC is truly one of the leaders in injury prevention, focusing on proactive measures rather than costly reactive solutions.


Sick Leave and Absence Management

IRC implements a workplace based early intervention program, which will reduce rates of all areas of absenteeism. IRC provides clear, consistent treatment of employees and separates illness injury and impairment problems from performance issues. Consistency is a guiding principle of the design process so that employees, managers and unions can be comfortable with dealing with issues that are frequently sensitive. The program is designed to ensure that employees are treated as individuals with solutions that are specific to their needs and those of the work area. Our approach is compassionate and supportive.

In creating this program IRC has endeavoured to address the critical success factors and believes that the program:


  • Is consistent with the values of the employer
  • Meets employee needs, thereby reducing the human costs of impairment
  • Ensures compliance with duty to accommodate, safe workplace and other legislative obligations


Minimizing employee absences improves productivity and morale, thereby reducing the financial costs of impairment to the organization.


Short Term/Long Term Disability

IRC will case manage all active files and work with the insurer to resolve claims. Our goal is to ensure that all employees receive the appropriate treatment. Our Consultants personally meet with the employees, complete an Initial Assessment and provide recommendations. By working with our network of professionals, we coordinate services such as Independent Medical Exams, Surgical consults etc. Our consultants will meet with the medical providers and the employer to coordinate return to work programs.

Employers that have worked with IRC have experienced up to a 30% reduction in the duration of short term disability claims and avoided long term disability claims.

IRC’s philosophy is returning to work as part of the recovery process.


Lost Time Assessments

IRC’s MAP Program has these assessment tools built in. From MAP, we are able to diagnose trends and help employers implement strategies and procedures to improve accountability and attendance in the workplace.


Early Intervention

By implementing our early intervention protocols, we are often able to have your employee back to work before the WCB paperwork is filed.


Employability Assessments

Through our workplace prevention program, we are able to provide post-offer screenings to potential employees. This assessment, completed in two parts (worksite demands and potential employee’s physical abilities) is then compared to ensure the potential employee is hired into a position they are capable of performing. This assessment can lead to fewer workers’ compensation claims, time lost and permanent disabilities.


Disability Management Services

Our services have helped numerous companies reduce their premiums and improve workplace health and safety. Innovative Rehabilitation Consultants provides Disability Management services for employers that focuses on the correct intervention at the correct time. Your employee’s benefit by getting the care they need and the employer benefits by seeing a reduction in premium costs. Our focus is Early Intervention and individual’s Abilities rather than their Disabilities.


Worksite and Ergonomic assessments

A worksite assessment is an analysis of the client’s workplace. It typically involves the client and their employer or direct supervisor to ensure continuity. Duties are established, accommodations are discussed and a written report is developed to reiterate all information and recommendations for solutions to any potential risks that may be identified.

An ergonomic assessment is used to determine the need for modification to the client’s job duties, work place or home environment. This assessment can be used after onset of injury to relieve exacerbations, as well as for general workplace improvement and prevention for all employees. The workstation is observed, analyzed, and recommendations are provided for potential implementation of equipment modifications, assistive devices and/or work station re-design to be ergonomically correct.

During assessments Occupational Therapists will make recommendations that will assist clients in completing tasks easier or provide recommendations for aids that can be of assistance. Individuals will be educated on improving their methods of performing routine tasks. Recommendations can also be made in terms of job bundling and observation/determination of tasks an individual would be capable of performing as medical information allows.


IRC Philosophy

The fundamental message of IRC reflects a belief that employees want to be at work and that the employer wants them there. The emphasis is on the employee’s health and the benefits of early return to work. It covers full time, part time and causal employees. The consistent framework of the program helps employees and managers operate at peak effectiveness.

Employees and managers will find that IRC meets their needs because it provides clarity, consistency, and predictability, through a process that is not intrusive and allows them to meet their service delivery goals. The communication and training strategies have been developed to minimize the time required from managers, employees, and program “experts”, and to provide them with the exact information they will need to meet their specific responsibilities. Human Resources professionals will be trained along with the unions on all elements of the Program, and will be provided with training tools for future use. Managers will be trained on their roles in the program, the resources available to them and on how to communicate the program to their own work areas. They will be provided with written material both to meet their own information needs and to assist them in presenting the material to their staff. An evaluation strategy has been included in the Program, with elements that will measure outcomes at both the program level (through specific, measurable targets and surveys of stakeholders), and at the individual level (through “exit surveys” and case follow-up).


Workers’ Compensation Claims Management

IRC will conduct file reviews on existing claims to ensure employers and employees have received appropriate case management. Our Consultants will review all documentation, meet with the employee and provide appropriate recommendations. Our Consultants meet with medical providers and create rehabilitation plans which are signed by all treatment providers and the employee. Formalized return to work plans are created and all stakeholders are accountable.

IRC will apply for cost relief on behalf of employers when appropriate and manage the process until all financial relief is applied to the employer account.