Return-to-work
Bringing an employee back to work as soon as medically appropriate is not only the right thing to do, but also a good business decision. Through early return-to-work, you can:
- Keep claims costs and therefore your workers' compensation costs down.
- Avoid overtime, hiring and retraining costs.
- Lessen the possibility for litigation and long-term wage-loss disability claims.
Return-to-work also allows the employee to recuperate while staying productive and in a working mindset.
SFM encourages each employer to take at least the four basic steps that help return-to-work be successful.
|
This is a statement to your employees expressing your formal commitment to the return-to-work process. |
|
This is a specific individual in your organization to coordinate your worker's compensation activities. |
|
You'll want your injured employees to go to providers that practice occupational medicine and will work with you on return-to-work issues. You should select a provider that participates in CorVel's extensive medical network. Ultimately, however, the choice of where to seek medical treatment is up to the employee. |
|
These provide opportunities for injured employees with medical restrictions to return to work even if they are unable to return to their pre-injury positions.
Transitional jobs may include part-time work, existing jobs with different physical requirements, jobs at reduced pay, alternated job tasks or modified jobs to accommodate physical limitations. See information on transitional jobs. |
See a sample written program statement that incorporates these four steps. It may help you write one for your organization.
You should let your employees know about your return-to-work program by giving them copies, posting it where they will see it and even including it in your organization's employee handbook. Also consider submitting it to SFM.
For a cursory review of your statement or program, contact SFM's Loss Prevention team at (800) 937-1181.
For additional resources, order SFM's CompTalk, "Advanced return to work: Enhance your program to make it even more effective" from SFM's online "Resource Catalog" or call (800) 937-1181 ext. 4325.
|
|
