Checklist: Essential
elements of a successful Return-to-Work program
Return-to-Work programs provide employers with the opportunity
to significantly reduce Workers’ Compensation costs. Having a program
in place is simply not enough, the program needs to be consistently evaluated
and refined. It is as important to manage the case after the injured employee
returns to work, as it is to have the employee return to work.
Here is a checklist to get the most benefit from your return to work program:
Involvement of employees in the development and implementation
of the program as well as in determining their own return to work activities
following an injury
Continuous education and dissemination
of information about the Return-to-Work program beginning before injuries
occur
Proper training of and commitment to
the program by all managers and supervisors
A designated program coordinator to coordinate
the early Return-to-Work program, monitor assignments, be responsible
for workers’ compensation reporting and required record keeping,
and communications with the treating physician and injured worker
Incident reporting within 24 hours
Prompt and appropriate medical care following
an injury
Return-to-Work information package for
treating physicians to help understand the employee’s regular job,
the Return-to-Work program, and available alternative assignments
Encourage health care providers to visit
operations
Continuous, supportive communication
with injured worker while off work
Continuous communication with the treating
physician and insurance carrier to clarify diagnosis and to encourage
recovery and return to work
Designate meaningful jobs for transitional
duty and modify work schedules, if needed
Rigorous process to offer alternative
work assignments, including return to work authorization form, letter
of bona fide offer of employment, offer of employment agreement, meeting
with injured employee
Communication of employee’s restrictions
to supervisor and steps to ensure that the employee does not exceed the
restrictions
Policy and consistent implementation
of what to do when employee refuses a transitional work assignment
Monitoring the injured worker’s
progress and work assignments following return to work throughout the
transition back to regular work
Continued communication with the treating
physician to ensure that the injured worker is progressing and on track
to return to full capacity in the expected time frame
Periodic evaluation of the program. Document,
track and monitor results including reporting time frames, lost days,
days on transitional duty as well as accident and injury history
Compliance with ADA and FMLA, the State
Workers’ Compensation Act, and any other state or federal law that
might apply
Consistent application of the program
with a continual emphasis on safety and prevention |