State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) initiative Connect2Work, which was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been successfully utilised by rehabilitation provider Recovery Partners.
“We’ve always been strong advocates of the early intervention approach that helps workers return safely to work as soon as is reasonably practicable following an injury,” said Recovery Partners, the success stories of which include a warehouse worker who was matched with an electronics manufacturing business, as well as staff heavily impacted by the coronavirus such as those from the hospitality sector.
“We’re also vocal proponents of the benefits of work, and signatory to the Consensus Statement on the Health Benefits of Work. So, Connect2Work is a perfect match for us.”
The SIRA programme facilitates a short-term voluntary work placement for individuals looking for work or recovering from an injury and unable to return to suitable employment with their pre-injury employer due to the coronavirus crisis.
Lifting the lid on the initiative’s suitability, the rehabilitation provider explained: “Recovery Partners already help workers access Work Trial or Host Employment opportunities through our online job portal. This job listing site provides access to a large number of host employers willing to provide work placement or paid employment opportunities to injured workers.
“We’ve also developed a comprehensive network of contacts in a wide range of industries, so we were able to quickly match workers and hosts who were eligible for the Connect2Work programme.”
According to new employer services general manager John Zaharis, Recovery Partners is “doing a lot” in the areas of airline and hospitality, given that these industries have been the hardest hit.
“We’ve been working with hospitality staff, baggage handlers, and transport workers who would ordinarily be employed at various hospitality venues or Sydney Airport to help find new opportunities for them with host employers during the pandemic,” noted Zaharis.
“The Connect2Work programme has helped us connect a lot of people, and we’re pleased to be able to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on employers and employees in any way we can.”
