Employee Disability Services

Richard E. Lindner Center, 3rd Floor, Room 334 E
(513) 556-6056    Digital Pager #:  269-6133 
Fax #:  (513) 556-2660

The UC UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICES department provides employees with disability and workplace accommodation services designed to assist any UC employee experiencing medical impairment restricting capacity to safely continue working or safely return-to-work .  This includes both work related as well as non-occupationally related injury and illness and includes part-time and student workers as well.  Disability Services assists with the coordination of comprehensive restorative services aimed at maximizing medical recovery while minimizing the financial and personal costs associated with disability.   This internal employee health resource promotes a win-win common sense approach aimed at resolving barriers related to work disruption and reasonable job accommodations. The employee is treated with dignity and respect with the goal of safely returning to productive work.  Return to work planning assistance helps clarify the suitability of accommodated work options based on documented medical need and work restriction compatibility with functional job demands.  Call UHS's main telephone to schedule a return to work evaluation. Present work release documentation from the treating physician at the time of the UHS evaluation.

TEMPORARY TRANSITIONAL WORK ASSIGNMENT may be available for an employee temporarily medically restricted from performing regular job duties.  The common goal is safe work or safe return to work.  It may be beneficial to both the employee and the employer to arrange restricted duty or temporary alternative duty as a means of enabling the employee to be productive while medically recovering.  Limited duration temporary assignments should not negatively impact on availability of union represented positions for other employees.  Employees are expected to return to their regular job as soon as medically able and as long as the position remains available in accordance with related collective bargaining agreement and university employment policy.

REHABILITATION RETURN-TO-WORK HIERACHY follows a standard return to work hierachy of steps for establishing the return to work goal and for planning appropriate rehabilitative services. The first goal  is always full-duty return to work in the regular position.  As practical, assignment to transitional work may be beneficial to both the employer and employee during the recovery period.   If returning to the former position is no longer an option, the employee will be encouraged to apply for other available and suitable positions within the university. If return to work with the University of Cincinnati is not an option, Disability Services can provide vocational rehabilitation case management and referral assistance for retraining and job placement services, as needed.  

The AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) obligates both employee and employer to discuss and attempt to resolve workplace accommodation issues. An employee needing long-term accommodations may contact disability services for assistance in resolving workplace accommodation issues. Most of the time requests for reasonable workplace accommodations are resolved with minimal expense.  Funding assistance for purchasing rehabilitation services and workplace items/adaptive equipment may be available through the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation, Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, and Unum Long-Term Disability Insurance.

UHS provides RETURN-TO-WORK EVALUATION services for all employees off work for five days or more due to a medical condition, or if released for work with either temporary or long-term work restrictions.  The UHS physician evaluates the employee prior to returning to work and may direct the employee to schedule follow-up visits.  The UHS Physician determines the employee’s work capability and readiness to participate in work activity.  Sometimes additional medical information is needed by  the UHS Physician to clarify the extent of work restriction and the expected duration.  The employee is asked to sign a release of information form allowing UHS consultation with the treating physician. The UHS physician documents the release date the employee may return to work, any specified work restrictions, and the duration of the restrictions and/or date of next medical evaluation.  Strict medical confidentiality will be maintained. Following the UHS medical assessment, the employee presents the UHS provided encounter form to his/her department. The employee is expected to follow-up with UHS as directed by the UHS Physician and/or as specified on the encounter form.  During medical recovery, Disability Services may coordinate additional rehabilitation interventions and resources as needed to promote full recovery and safe work.
 
If you are an UC employee and are seeking information on DISABILITY SERVICES,  CALL 513-556-6056.

Stephen Bangs, Disability Manager, has more than 25 years professional rehabilitation experience coordinating services related to maximizing medical recovery and facilitating a safe return to work.  Mr. Bangs is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor and has earned Rehabilitation Counseling degrees from Pennsylvania State University and Boston University.  Mr. Bangs is an employer-based benefit resource provided to help employees maintain employment with the university. Services are individualized and medical information conveyed to the department is strictly related to functional job demands or job accommodation needs.  Contact Disability Services any time you have questions related to return-to-work, transitional work, workplace accommodations, or need help exploring funding resources for rehabilitation interventions and work accommodations.

Helpful  UC links:

UC Benefits

http://www.hr.uc.edu.benefits/poster.pdf

http://www.hr.uc.edu/benefits.wpolicy.pdf

http://hr.uc.edu/FMLA/FMLA.pdf

http://www.uc.edu/jobs/

University Health Services/Environmental Health & Safety

http://www.ehs.uc.edu/A1352a.pdf

http://ehs.uc.edu/Advisories/Advisory_12_2.PDF

http://ehs.uc.edu/Advisories/Advisory_35_0.PDF

http://ehs.uc.edu/itc/citraining.asp

UC Affirmative Action Office

http://www.uc.edu/equalopp/