Skip to content
  • Home
  • Psychology
    • Consultancy
    • Case Studies
    • Training
  • Assessment
    • Tests and Exercises
    • Candelaâ„¢
    • Verification Tests
    • Case Studies
    • Bespoke Norms
    • Validation Evidence
  • News
  • Candidates
    • Assessment Advice
    • Practice Tests
  • Contact
  • Members

Search results

previous index next

Supporting employees back to work during Covid-19: Successfully undertaking remote PIAs

Posted on 13th August 2020

Psychologists from the OPC have been delivering Post Incident Assessments (PIAs) within the rail industry, both in the UK and internationally, for the past 15 years. We have assessed hundreds of safety critical employees who have had safety of the line incidents. 

In the past the PIA process has always been undertaken face-to-face. This allows the psychologist and employee to build a rapport so that the employee feels supported in this development process.  However, as all of our working lives changed in 2020 the OPC psychologists were not alone in having to adapt. They quickly and effectively moved to delivering PIAs remotely via a variety of online platforms. As part of this process:

  • The psychologist typically contacted the employee in advance of the PIA to talk to them, allay any fears about the PIA or any nervousness about the use of the online platform.
  • The psychologist and employee could see each other via video link, meaning they could still gain a good rapport.
  • Employees were able to complete all relevant psychometric tools online, with the support of the psychologist.
  • Both the psychologist and the employee were able to share their screens meaning monitoring of any exercises completed was simple and effective.

By adapting to delivering PIAs via online platforms:

  • Employees and organisations have not had to wait for ‘lockdown’ to ease before the OPC could undertake a PIA. Therefore, the employees return to work has not been stalled or delayed. We have successfully supported employees back to work throughout ‘lockdown’.
  • The psychologists have been able to have greater input in the support for employees following a PIA, e.g. extra follow up sessions for the employee to discuss their development techniques, as no travel time is required by the employee or psychologist. 
  • Overseas client’s have saved time and money due to zero expenses associated with the psychologists travelling abroad. 

The feedback from employees and clients has been positive. Employees report feeling positive that they have been able to attend a PIA during ‘lockdown’, which has in turn helped them to return to work successfully. Clients’ report being open to continuing to use this remote PIA option in the future when this is appropriate for both the organisation and the employee.

The OPC, One Wellstones, Watford, WD17 2AE
Tel 01923 234 646
  • Legal Info

🍪 Our website uses cookies. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we put on your computer which are essential for the website to function properly and which help to provide you with a better online experience. Most of our cookies are essential and these cookies cannot be switched off and do not store any of your information.

We use "analytical" cookies, which allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around the site when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.

View our full Cookie Policy