A new report warns that the real cost of workplace disability isn’t just who’s off sick — but how long they’re gone.
According to recent research highlighted in Canadian HR Reporter, the biggest challenge facing employers today is the growing impact of chronic conditions that lead to longer, more complex disability claims.
Dubbed the “silent killer” of productivity, claim duration can quietly drain company resources, stretch team capacity, and push up premiums — even when the number of claims stays the same.
Conditions like mental health challenges, musculoskeletal injuries, and other long-term illnesses account for the majority of cases that extend far beyond the average recovery window. Experts say that without early intervention, strong return-to-work plans, and support that addresses both medical and workplace factors, these complex cases keep people out of work for months or even years.
“Employers often focus on preventing claims, but they underestimate the hidden cost of unresolved, ongoing conditions that make it harder for people to return to work,” the report notes.
For disability and HR leaders, the lesson is clear:
- Proactive case management and mental health support are essential.
- Open communication with employees, healthcare providers, and insurers can make all the difference.
- And investing in workplace accommodations isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s the smart way to keep people connected, supported and able to work when possible.
As more organisations face the reality of an ageing workforce and rising rates of chronic illness, tackling claim duration must be part of any meaningful disability inclusion and wellness strategy.
