What is work ability management

Planning brings the best results

Successful work ability management requires planned and systematic actions that promote, support, and maintain employees’ work ability. Work ability management is not a separate function of leadership, but a comprehensive approach aligned with the company’s strategic goals.

The goal of work ability management is to

Ensure employees can work in good health, stay motivated, and remain productive
Reduce sickness absences and work disability risks
Improve workflow and enhance organisational productivity
Build a sustainable working life with longer careers and preserved competence

Lead work ability through data

A wide range of data on employees’ work ability can be collected to support work ability management.When work ability is managed with data, the benefits become visible through clear figures and measurable impact.Data also helps assess the severity and impact of different work ability risks and guides actions in the right direction.

Read more about Elo's work ability risk management surveys

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Work ability management in a nutshell

assessing stress and risk factors threatening work ability
setting clear goals and metrics for operations
supporting smooth work processes and good leadership
ensuring smooth occupational health collaboration
supporting personnel's endurance and recovery
monitoring the effectiveness and impact of operations

The ABC of Work Ability Management

Work ability is a functional whole formed by employees, work, and the organization. Changes in operations may cause disruptions that can appear as work ability risks among employees.

Disruptions at work or an employee’s illness or symptoms may pose a work ability risk if they continuously interfere with daily routines and job performance.

Such disruptions may appear as increased sick leave, changes in behavior, interpersonal conflicts, work-related disagreements, or general dissatisfaction.

When prolonged and intensified, various work ability risks can lead to a threat of work disability and an increased risk of ending up on a disability pension.

Risks may arise from work- or employee-related factors. Certain fields are also especially vulnerable to work disability risk.

Certain aspects of the work increase work disability risk:

Night work and shift work, as well continuous long work shifts of >40h/wk.
Physically or mentally demanding work with minimal opportunities for influence
Leadership problems
Changing situations in which the employees have minimal opportunities for influence
Poor work atmosphere and conflict within the work community

Employee-related factors that increase work disability risk:

Self-perceived poor health
Chronic illnesses
> 8 days of absence due to illness during the past year
Low level of education
Sleep problems
Overweight
Age (55+)
Smoking

Managing work ability risks promotes good work ability

Various physical, psychological, and social stress factors can weaken an individual’s work ability at different stages of their career. In different industries and occupational groups, risks related to specific work tasks can be identified. In Elo’s Work Ability Knowledge Bank, you can find researched information on work ability risks across different sectors.

Explore Work ability information bank

Steps of work ability management

Work ability management is part of everyday leadership: ensuring a well-functioning work community, addressing identified work ability risks, and preventing excessive workload. Supporting employees when they face challenges related to work ability is a key element of successful work ability management.

Map the situation - Work ability management starts with understanding the current state

Mapping helps form a clear view of the current situation: where we stand now, what factors support work ability, and where the biggest development needs lie. Surveys, occupational health data, and absence statistics can all be used in the process. Once work ability risks are identified, management can be proactive and effective.
Lead work performance

Work performance management involves ensuring the functionality of the work community, intervening with problems in the workplace, and making sure that the prerequisites for successful work are in place. Everyday management requires presence, the ability to listen and the creation of an atmosphere that allows for open discourse. Employee orientation, giving feedback, and successful change management are key methods for managing performance.
Take actions

The best way to prevent excessive workload is to address problems while they are still minor. Early support and open dialogue are part of good supervisory practices and everyday leadership. By adapting work tasks, it is often possible to find better solutions to individual challenges than sick leave. Read more about early support.
Support employees with partial work ability

It’s natural for employees to face work ability challenges during their careers. Support for returning to work is part of the early support model. A work trial, in turn, is one of the most used forms of vocational rehabilitation. Explore ways to support employees with partial work ability.

Work ability management is an integral part of everyday leadership

Planning brings the best results

Lead work ability through data

Work ability management in a nutshell

The ABC of Work Ability Management

Managing work ability risks promotes good work ability

Steps of work ability management

Map the situation - Work ability management starts with understanding the current state

Lead work performance

Take actions

Support employees with partial work ability

Articles related to work ability management

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