The Return to Work Process following an injury can often be daunting for everyone involved. So what can be done to help minimise risks and make the process as smooth as possible?
Employers worry about supporting injured staff, while employees fear re-injury or letting them down.
To ease common concerns, discuss and agree on suitable duties before the worker returns.
A timely, safe return to work boosts the injured worker’s confidence and support, easing stress. Employers benefit too, with less downtime and lower compensation costs.
Typically, the return to work process is facilitated by a rehab provider. Rehab providers like physiotherapists or psychologists plan safe, sustainable returns to work.
While rehab consultants are skilled, employers should also agree on interim duties for injured workers. Larger businesses often use a “suitable duties register” to guide doctors before a rehab provider is assigned.
The ideal return to work scenario is achieved by:
- Quick notification of the incident
- Claim lodgement promptly follows
- Rehabilitation Provider to conduct a workplace assessment and identify an appropriate RTW Plan
- Employers provide supportive workplaces
- Good communication between worker, employer and relevant parties for the collaboration and facilitation of a sustainable return to work
Tips to know when things are going wrong
- Injured worker become angry or disengaged
- The doctor is supportive of the injured worker’s disengagement.
- Injured worker & employer’s relationship becomes tense or unmanageable
- Lack of or time taken to obtain upgrades
For further information please refer below or contact our friendly Injury Management specialists today.
Reference:
Source: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Title: Returning to work after an injury
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