The Return to Work (RTW) process following a workplace injury can often be daunting for everyone involved. So what can be done to help minimise risks and make this process as smooth as possible?
It is not uncommon that employers feel like they are stepping on egg shells and worried if they are managing the process correctly or properly supporting their injured worker. Employees are typically overly cautious given fears they might re-injure themselves and/or let their employer down by being unable to do their regular tasks
To eliminate these unnecessary, yet common worries, it is important time is taken prior to the worker’s return to work to discuss and agree on duties that are suitable and within the capacity of the worker.
A quick and safe return to work, within the injured workers capacity helps the worker feel more useful, while socialising and being supported by co-workers, thus reducing both mental and physical pressures they experience. Employers will also benefit from the early return to work due to a reduction in time loss and the flow-on impacts to their subsequent workers compensation premiums.
Typically, the return to work process is facilitated by a rehab provider. Rehabilitation providers must be qualified allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, exercise physiologist (EP), occupational therapists (OT), psychologist or rehabilitation counsellors. The rehab provider (also known as rehab consultant) is qualified to develop and facilitate an effective return to work plan that will support the safe and sustainable return to work of the injured employee.
Although rehab consultants possess relevant skills, employers (supervisors/managers) should also understand and agree the duties they can provide their injured workers to help facilitate the RTW process. Large business will often have or develop a “suitable duties register” or list functions available to provide to the doctor in the situations where a rehabilitation provider is yet to be allocated by the insurer.
The ideal return to work scenario is achieved by:
- Quick notification of incident
- Claim lodgement promptly follows
- Rehabilitation Provider occurs to conduct workplace assessment and identifies of 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 becomes angry or disengaged
- Doctor is supportive of injured worker
- 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
Read time: 10mins