Returning to Work After a Concussion and Brain Injury Can Be Challenging…
OBIA’s Return to Work Team Can Help.
Employers and individuals with concussions and brain injuries often face barriers in the return to work process. Some of these barriers may include: stigma, lack of knowledge and understanding, challenges navigating systems, difficulties managing setbacks, the complex nature of concussions and brain injuries and limited support available for employers and employees.
For employers, ensuring a smooth transition back to work for your employees can help to foster a positive workplace environment, encourage strong workplace relationships and to retain qualified employees.
For individuals with concussions and brain injuries, the inability to return to work and unemployment are often linked to mental health challenges, including depression, low self-esteem, and low life satisfaction.
OBIA’s Return to Work program helps employers and employees navigate these challenges by offering tailored education programs and direct support from a registered occupational therapist and registered social worker.
The program is designed to support employees with concussions and brain injuries and their employers through the return to work process. This program is FREE to those based in Ontario and is funded in part by the Government of Canada.
Employer Online Training
The online training program is tailored to anyone who supervises and supports employees (e.g. managers, executives, human resources).
Topics Include:
- Concussion and Brain Injury and Returning to Work
- Symptoms and Accommodations
- Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace
- Communication and Managing Setbacks
Key Features
- 75-90 minutes to complete
- Self-paced, saving your location in the training automatically
- Receive a certificate of completion
Eligibility Criteria
- Employers must be based in Ontario
Employee Online Training
The online training program is tailored to your needs as an employee returning to work after a concussion/brain injury.
Topics Include:
- Overview of Concussion and Brain Injury
- Coping with Physical and Cognitive Symptoms
- Sleep, Diet and Movement
- Emotional Health and Mental Well-Being
- Returning to Work
Key Features
- Self-paced, saving your location in the training automatically
- Receive a RTW Toolkit with over 50 pages of worksheets and additional information
Eligibility Criteria
- Employees must be located in Ontario
Enhanced Support Services
FOR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR EMPLOYERS
Enhanced Support Services is a collaboration between employees and their employers. Both parties must consent to participate. Enhanced Support Services provides access to the online training programs and support by a registered occupational therapist and registered social worker.
The occupational therapist will…
- Work collaboratively with employees and their employers to develop and implement individualized return to work plans
- Provide guidance on a gradual return to work schedule, accommodations and problem-solving around setbacks
- Meet with employees one-on-one to work towards their work-related goals
The social worker will…
- Meet with employees one-on-one to provide mental health and well-being support as they transition back to work
Key Features
- A collaborative effort between employees and their employer
- Virtual services
- Up to 6 months of support
- NO COST
Eligibility Criteria
- Both the employee and their employer consent to participating in the program
- Employees and their employers must be based in Ontario
- Employees must be employed
Please note, that this program does not provide employment help services such as resume building, interview skills, and support securing employment. For employment help services please visit Employment Ontario’s website.
Our services are offered at no cost funded in part by the
Government of Canada.
The Return to Work Team:
Zoe Fallis, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Project Lead
On Parental Leave
Mackenzie Klauck, RSW
Interim Project Lead, Social Worker
(905) 641-8877 ext. 105
mklauck@obia.on.ca
Opeyemi Adegbemi
Program/Research Coordinator
(905) 641-8877 ext. 106
oadegbemi@obia.on.ca
Gillian Cattle, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
(905) 641-8877 ext. 804
gcattle@obia.on.ca
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The views expressed in this program are the views of the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.
