Workers Compensation & Return to Work
A brief introduction to…
- • What is a Return to Work Plan?
- • What does a Return to Work Coordinator do?
- • What are the benefits of Suitable Duties?
Return to work plans
Assisting injured workers return to work after a workplace injury is necessary for employers to meet their legal obligations.
When a worker is injured, a ‘return to work plan’ should be developed and tailored to suit the particular needs of the injured worker.
A return to work plan outlines the workers individual goals, objectives, restrictions, limitations, suitable duties and any special requirements and is developed in consultation with the worker, their treating doctor, supervisor or manager. It is designed to make clear what the worker can or cannot do to assist the injured worker return to work in a safe and timely manner.
Return to work Coordinators
Whilst each state/territory and the Commonwealth has separate workers compensation legislation, the need for a Return To Work Coordinator is generally determined by the size of your business, workers compensation premium and/or the nature of a workers injury.
A return to work coordinator can be an employee nominated by the employer or a contractor engaged specifically for the role.
The general role of a return to work coordinator is to:
- • Assist the worker and their Manager with the return to work process
- • Assist with the identification of suitable duties
- • Develop and implement the return to work plan
- • Maintain constant communication with all relevant parties
- • Provide information on workers compensation benefits and legislative requirements
- • Coordinate and monitor progress in treatment and rehabilitation services
Suitable Duties
Workers who are temporarily unable to effectively perform their usual duties can be offered suitable duties/short-term work duties to assist in their early return to work.
The suitable duties identified must comply with a current medical certificate and should be agreed by all relevant parties.
Suitable duties and return to work plans provide benefits for both the worker and employer. For workers it can help maintain or improve their work fitness and provides an opportunity to build confidence in their abilities to re-enter the work force. For employers it can minimise the cost of your workers compensation premium, assist in meeting your legislative requirements and most importantly help to maintain the contact that is necessary to foster ongoing cooperative working relationships.
It is also necessary to offer similar pay and conditions to workers who return to work on suitable duties even when their duties are changed significantly result of the injury.
Article by Cheryl Koppman, Managing Director, Human Resource Services Pty Ltd.
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Need help managing your workers compensation claims or the return to work of injured workers? Call Human Resource Services Pty Ltd on (07) 5530 1571.
