Resource Center
You need to provide return to work opportunities for employees who have been injured on the job, because:
- It’s a critical component of claims management.
- It provides the needed sense of contribution and interaction with peers to legitimately injured employees.
- It helps prevent abuse of the system for suspect injuries or by employees who exaggerate the extent of their injuries.
- It controls the cost of lost wages, which is substantially higher than medical costs associated with claims.
- It helps control the costs of a claim and ultimately the cost of your workers’ compensation insurance.
An effective return to work program can demonstrate a company’s commitment to the health and well-being of its employees. At the same time, it can improve a company’s productivity and profitability.
To implement the program, you’ll utilize the following forms. Click on a form to download (in PDF format):
Keys to a Successful Return to Work Program
- Establish a program before you need it. Make sure that management, supervisors and employees understand their roles and responsibilities.
- Communicate the program’s purpose and goals to supervisors. Some may be hesitant to provide a position to an employee who is less than “100%.” Emphasize to them the rehabilitative and productivity value of the program and its role in controlling workers’ compensation costs.
- When possible, modify the employee’s own position to meet their physical limitations. Design modified positions to be productive and useful. To accommodate physical limitations, you may place the employee on another shift or in a different department. An employee may worry that “modified duty” means “menial tasks.” However, keep in mind that any work within the employee’s physical capabilities is better than no work at all.
* some information provided by Eastern Alliance Insurance Group and Royal and Sun Alliance.
