31 December 2021
RISK
Help your clients prevent musculoskeletal injuries in remote workspaces SIPHOKAZI PARIRENYATWA Disability Manager, Momentum Corporate
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esearch by Momentum Corporate shows that 44% of employers plan to adopt a hybrid work model going forward. The findings further indicate that employees are overwhelmingly in favour of work-from-home or hybrid work models. Remote working environments present new risks that, if not managed, will reduce employee productivity and accelerate the rise in musculoskeletal-related disability claims. This is because many makeshift home offices are unergonomic, affecting tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves and intravertebral discs. Financial advisors should raise this issue with their corporate clients,
and encourage them to take proactive, preventative actions to reduce these risks. At a Momentum Corporate live talk show with ergonomics experts, which included occupational therapist and ergonomics consultant Phumla Motsa, and Andre van Rooyen, head of occupational hygiene services at Momentum Wellness, Motsa revealed that pain is the first clinical sign of an injury and has a significant impact on absenteeism and presenteeism – the condition when an employee is at work but not engaged or productive. The global increase in computer work and all things digital is coinciding with an increased prevalence in workrelated musculoskeletal disorders. Even before Covid-19 and the move to remote working, musculoskeletal disabilities were one of Momentum Corporate’s top three disability claims. At Momentum Corporate, we follow a human-first approach and really feel for employees experiencing this kind of pain. No one looks forward to a day of work when battling pain. This inevitably impacts employees’ quality of life and productivity. In 2013, the Department of Employment and Labour formed a technical committee with representation from business, labour and government, to develop ergonomics regulations. These regulations urge companies to comply with certain
“Even before Covid-19 and the move to remote working, musculoskeletal disabilities were one of Momentum Corporate’s top three disability claims” mandatory requirements by 30 June 2020. Some of these requirements include: • an ergonomics risk assessment to evaluate ergonomic risk • removing or reducing exposure to ergonomic risks by implementing control measures • educating employees and contractors on the basics of ergonomics, including the risks and procedures to address ergonomic-related issues. These regulations are not just for traditional workplace environments. If we presume that employees working from home will, in most instances, be acting in the course and scope of their employment, it means that their residence constitutes a “workplace”, as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
There are some easy behaviours employees can adopt to avoid these injuries. For example, regular breaks and changing position relieves the pressure on joints and muscles, helps blood circulation and promotes mobility in your joints. Active breaks and changes in posture can reduce the risk of new neck and lower back pain by 55 to 66% respectively. Before pain leaves your clients’ employees feeling disabled and unengaged, encourage your clients to educate their employees on these issues and encourage ergonomically healthy behaviour. Some simple mobility exercises for employees, guidance for them to evaluate their workspace and ensuring it is ergonomically healthy, is a good start.
Old Mutual Corporate welcomes endorsement of two-pot retirement savings system BLESSING UTETE Managing Executive, Old Mutual Corporate Consultants
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inance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s endorsement of a move to a two-pot system to increase preservation and flexibility with early access to retirement savings is a welcome progression to a new era for the South African retirement industry.
This is according to Blessing Utete, Managing Executive of Old Mutual Corporate Consultants, who says that the ‘two-pots’ system for retirement annuities, provident and pension funds would improve savings outcomes and retirement provision. While Godongwana was sparse on detail, based on previous announcements the proposal involves retirement savings being split into a smaller accessible pot with limited access for financial emergencies in future, while the remaining bigger pot will only be accessible after retirement age. “Going forward, we foresee a regime where members of pension and provident funds will no longer be able to access all of their retirement savings when retrenched or changing jobs. This step is critical to offset the retirement savings crisis, which affects most workers in South Africa,” he says. “However, allowing members of private and occupational funds access to a portion of their savings
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in an emergency will offer some relief when needed.” The new system is a monumental shift for the retirement sector, says Utete, as it will improve long-term retirement outcomes while providing flexibility to deal with unforeseen events before retirement. The minister says that National Treasury will shortly publish a discussion document on the details of this proposal to obtain input before further announcements are made in the 2022 National Budget in February. Utete says that the industry is eagerly waiting on this document to clarify the amount of money available for immediate access when the new legislation comes into effect. “Other issues the discussion document must address include the frequency of access; the conditions of access; how potential abuse will be mitigated; what measures can be practically implemented; what the practical constraints to SARS are; and what the tax implications will be,” he says.
Concerns of liquidity Utete is also pleased to see that Treasury has taken concerns over fund liquidity and affordability seriously. “It is important to understand early on in this journey that the initial allocation to the accessible pot will be manageable for retirement funds. How National Treasury attains this delicate balance to aid South Africans without breaking the bank is a critical part of the conversation,” he says. Current savings must remain unaffected The discussion document must give insight into the treatment of vested rights, which is the retirement savings accumulated before the new laws take effect, says Utete. “This step will go a long way to guarantee members and the market that there is no need for concern about the accessibility of current savings accumulated before the law is enacted.”
