Approach 1: Classification by work accommodation categories

1.

Workstation (accessibility; reconfiguration of various elements of the workstation)

1.1

Modify the workstation to make it accessible

Lower limbs

1.2

Move workstation close to other work areas, break rooms or close to common use office equipment)

Lower limbs

1.3

Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used by the employee

Lower limbs

1.4

Provide parking close to the work-site and an accessible entrance

Lower limbs

1.5

Install automatic door openers

Lower limbs

1.6

Implement ergonomic workstation design i.e., ergonomic chair and height adjustable desk

All MSDs

1.7

Make sure materials and equipment are reach range within

All MSDs

1.8

Place frequently used tools and supplies at or near waist height

All MSDs

1.9

Help with taking information or note

Neck/shoulder area
Upper limbs

2.

Equipment used to perform work tasks (replacement, repair, specialized equipment)

2.1

Make wheelchairs, scooters, industrial tricycles, or golf carts available if walking long distances is required

Lower limbs

2.2

Provide anti-fatigue mats and stand/lean stools for tasks requiring long periods of standing

Lower limbs
Back

2.3

Use fan/air-conditioner or heater at the workstation

Comfort, health and well-being

2.4

Provide a desktop organizer or a carousel to access frequently used materials

Neck/shouder area
Upper limbs

2.5

Provide low task chair and rolling safety ladder to access low and high file drawers and supplies

All MSDs

2.6

Provide carts to move files, mail, supplies and stock

All MSDs

2.7

Provide compact-lifting devices to push and pull supplies and tools from storage

Back
Neck/shouder area
Upper limbs

2.8

Use lumbar belts

Back

2.9

Automate some repetitive processes or tasks

All MSDs

3.

Work method (worker’s way of doing things)

3.1

Teach safe handling techniques (lift, push, pull)

Back

3.2

Monitor frequent movements and the taking of awkward postures

All MSDs

3.3

Encourage frequent changes of posture

Back; Neck/shouder area

Upper limbs et inférieurs

3.4

Reduce travel over long distances

lower limbs

3.5

Allow micro-breaks and informal breaks

All MSDs

4.

Work task

4.1

Progressive RTW / progressive RTW extension

All MSDs

4.2

Promote teamwork and task sharing

All MSDs

4.3

Anticipate the possibility to request and receive help from a colleague for more demanding tasks

All MSDs

4.4

Consider supernumerary work for heavy work for a period of time

All MSDs

4.5

Consider light work for a period of time

All MSDs

4.6

Allow a gradual recovery of tasks, schedules and regular requirements

All MSDs

4.7

Alternating or rotating workstations having different constraints

All MSDs

4.8

Reduce repetitive tasks or interrupt the tasks with other duties

All MSDs

4.9

Consider inter-departmental transfer if changes are not possible in current work

All MSDs

4.10

Allow a self-paced workload

All MSDs

4.11

Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation

All MSDs

4.12

Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time

All MSDs

4.13

Allow work from home, especially during extremely hot or cold weather

Comfort, health and well-being

5.1

Reduce or eliminate workplace stress

Comfort, health and well-being

5.2

Modify work-site temperature and/or dress code

Comfort, health and well-being

6.

Other accomodations

6.1

Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for support

Comfort, health and well-being

6.2

Allow time off for medical treatment

Comfort, health and well-being

6.3

Allow longer breaks

Comfort, health and well-being

6.4

Encourage taking time off (paid or unpaid)

All MSDs

6.5

Avoiding overtime

All MSDs

6.6

Reduce production expectations and reduce or eliminate sales targets

All MSDs

6.7

Encourage, use positive reinforcement and recognition

Satisfaction
Motivation
Performance
Comfort, health and well-being

6.8

Offer support, accompaniment

Satisfaction
Motivation
Performance
Comfort, health and well-being

6.9

Demonstrate flexibility according to the worker’s abilities

Satisfaction
Motivation
Performance
Comfort, health and well-being

7.

Specific to the hospital environment

7.1

Provide a spring-bottomed linen cart

Back

7.2

Make patient lifting and transfer devices available

Back

7.3

Make wheelchairs, scooters, industrial tricycles, or golf carts available if walking long distances is required

Lower limbs

7.4

Train employees on proper lifting techniques and on proper use of patient lifting and transfer devices

Back

7.5

Provide powered beds for transporting patients

Back

7.6

Provide adjustable exam tables

Back

1.

Workstation (accessibility; reconfiguration of various elements of the workstation)

1.1

Implement ergonomic workstation design

↓ Fatigue

1.2

Move closer to frequently accessed office equipment

↓ Fatigue

2.

Equipment used to perform work tasks (replacement, repair, specialized equipment)

2.1

Provide a noise cancelling headset

Concentration

2.2

Purchase organizers to reduce clutter

Concentration

2.3

Provide notebooks, planners, or sticky notes to record information for easy retrieval

Memory

2.4

Provide tools such as electronic planners (schedules or tasks), recorders, calendars, watches and software applications

Organization/time management

3.1

Divide large assignments into smaller tasks and goals/steps

Concentration / Memory

3.2

Divide large assignments into smaller tasks and goals/steps

Concentration
Organization/time management

3.3

Use auditory or written cues as appropriate

Concentration / Memory

3.4

Provide cues to assist in location of items by using labels, color coding, or bulletin boards

Concentration / Memory

3.5

Use electronic organizers, handheld devices (e.g., smart phones) and/or applications

Memory
Organization/time management

3.6

Implement a color coding system to identify priority projects

Memory
Organization/time management

3.7

Provide reminders of important deadlines via e-mails, memos, wall calendar

Memory
Organization/time management

3.8

Use notebooks, planners, or sticky notes to record information for easy retrieval

Memory

3.9

Allow the employee to record meetings and trainings

Memory

3.10

Provide written as well as verbal instructions

Memory

3.11

Post written instructions for use of equipment

Memory

3.12

Provide written instructions and allow additional training time

Memory

3.13

Allow additional training time for new duties

Memory

3.14

Use daily, weekly, and monthly task lists and check items off as they are completed

Memory
Organization/time management

3.15

Assign a mentor to assist employee

Memory
Organization/time

3.16

Schedule weekly meetings with supervisor, manager, or mentor to determine if goals are being met

Organization/time management

3.17

Hire a job coach or a professional organizer

Organization/time management

4.

Work task

4.1

Progressive RTW / progressive RTW extension

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.2

Allow for flexible scheduling and use of time off

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.3

Work from home (or other place)

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.4

Modify break schedule

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.5

Plan for uninterrupted work time and allow for frequent breaks

↑ Concentration

4.6

Adapt/avoid job rotation

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.7

Organize supernumerary work when the worker needs to take breaks

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.8

Provide a self-paced workload, allow pauses as needed

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.9

Restructure job to include only essential functions

↑ Concentration / ↓ Fatigue

4.10

Promote teamwork and task sharing

↑ Satisfaction
↑ Motivation
↑ Performance
↑ Concentration
↓ Fatigue
↓ Stress

4.11

Provide part-time work schedules

↓ Fatigue

4.12

Provide a goal-oriented workload

↓ Fatigue

5.

Work environment

5.1

Reduce distractions in the work area

Concentration

5.2

Increase natural lighting or provide full spectrum lighting

Concentration

5.3

Provide space enclosures, sound absorption panels, or a private office

Concentration

5.4

Allow for use of white noise or environmental sound machines

Concentration

5.5

Allow the employee to listen to soothing music and use a headset

Concentration

5.6

Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress

↓ Fatigue

5.7

Offer training to colleagues to make them aware of the worker’s needs and condition

Empathy/collaboration of colleagues

6.

Other accommodations

6.1

Provide praise / positive reinforcement / recognition marks and encouragement

↑ Satisfaction
↑ Motivation
↑ Performance
↓ Stress/émotions (depression)

6.2

Reduce production expectations, reduce or eliminate sales targets

↓ Stress/émotions (depression)

6.3

Offer support, accompaniment

↑ Satisfaction
↑ Motivation
↑ Performance
↓ Stress/émotions (depression)

6.4

Demonstrate flexibility according to the worker’s abilities

↑ Satisfaction
↑ Motivation
↑ Performance
↓ Stress/émotions (depression)

6.6

Encourage taking time off (paid or unpaid)

↓ Stress/émotions (depression)

6.7

Eliminate night work

↓ Stress/émotions (depression)
↓ Fatigue
↑ Concentration
↑ Memory

6.8

Avoiding overtime

↑ Concentration
↓ Fatigue

6.9

Encourage use of stress management techniques to deal with frustration

↓ Stress/emotions

6.10

Restructure job to include only essential functions during times of stress

↓ Stress/emotions

6.11

Use a mentor or supervisor to alert the employee when his/her behavior is becoming unprofessional or inappropriate

↓ Stress/emotions

6.12

Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for needed support

↑ Assiduity
↓ Stress/emotions

6.13

Allow to leave for counseling

Assiduity

6.14

Provide straight shift or permanent schedule

Provide straight shift or permanent schedule

6.15

Allow the employee to make up the time missed

Assiduity

6.16

Allow employee to telework

Assiduity

6.17

Modify attendance policy – Example: To count for one occurrence, several occurrences for all CMD absences

Assiduity