Return-to-work program

Human Resource managers often deal with workers compensation and other insurance. They may oversee return-to-work programs following illness and injury. Overall, safety and health functions are a small, but important, element of Human Resources. The professional organization is the Society for Human Resource Management. 

An early-return-to-work program should be in place at the facility. The job descriptions must be complete for all tasks that include the physical requirements of the job. Transitional duties must be identified that are productive, creative, and not demanding to the employee. 

Finally, all employees must be aware of, and fully support, the early-return-to-work program. 

An early-return-to-work program is in place at the facility. 

A second step that can be taken is to actually have the physician or a representative from the clinic come to the school for a tour. This will provide an opportunity to clearly explain the physical requirements for each primary job, as well as to review the degree to which transitional return-to-work tasks have been identified that can be used to immediately return an employee to work, regardless of an employee s primary job. Developing this level of relationship with treating physicians will allow them to make more informed decisions on how to communicate the status of an employee following the treatment of an injury. For example, an uninformed physician may immediately place an employee off of work for three days to heal from an injury. However, if that same physician was aware that a mature transitional return-to-work program existed, the employee might be returned to a role that accommodates work restrictions that have been placed on the employee. 

Another factor masks the true incidence of serious injuries. According to the BLS, for the past 12 years in manufacturing, the rate of job transfer or restricted work cases has exceeded cases involving actual lost workdays. In part this reflects economic pressures forcing companies to try to contain healthcare and medical costs, and aggressive return-to-work programs. 

The return-to-work programs increasingly being relied on by employers (often at the recommendation of their workers compensation insurers) are designed to ... 

The following are key aspecfs of an effecfive return-to-work program. 

Accident Investigation Program Example Accident/lncident Analysis - Blank Form Early Return to Work Program Example Physician Release-to-Work - Blank Form Temporary Modified Duty Job Description Example and Form... 

Chandler, D.L. 2003. Constructing Return to Work Programs Building for Better Returns, A Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI) Symposium. 

Although it is not a requirement that the Utility provide such a benefit, studies show that an Early Return to Work Program is therapeutic and helps speed the recovery process. In addition, injured employees stay in touch with the speedy transition back to their normal job. 

D. The Utility has contracted with (Insert Provider Name) to provide managed care services for Utility workers that are injured on the job. However, you have the right to be treated by your own physician, at your expense, provided your doctor agrees to follow and cooperate with the Utility s Early Return to Work Program. 

The Utility may modify, change, or discontinue the Early Return to Work Program or conditions of the program at any time dependent on Utility needs. 

Communication with the treating doctor is one of the most important factors in return-to-work programs. The employer needs to provide the attending physician and other medical providers with a written summary of the physical demands of the employee s customary job, and notification of the availability of restricted-duty assignments. 

---