Return to work refers to assisting injured workers in staying at or getting back to work. The aim of the return to work and rehabilitation provisions in legislation is to assist workers in returning to work in a safe, durable and timely manner.
The return to work process involves the injured worker and their employer. Depending on the legislation in each jurisdiction and the injury’s severity, it may also involve workplace rehabilitation coordinators, workplace rehabilitation providers, medical and other health professionals, and the insurer.
Some workers’ compensation authorities operate injured worker placement incentive schemes to encourage employers to employ workers who have had an injury and are not able to return to work with their pre-injury employer.
A successful return to work is usually the result of 4 main factors: early intervention, an effective workplace-based rehabilitation program, effective claims management and cooperation, collaboration and consultation between stakeholders.
Tables contained in this section cover the following topics:
- 6.1 Guidance material and sections of the Acts or regulations referring to return to work or rehabilitation
- 6.2a Requirement to have a return to work/workplace rehabilitation program or policy
- 6.2b Return to work plans – individual return to work plans
- 6.2c Suitable duties
- 6.2d Other requirements of employers
- 6.3 Responsibilities of workers in relation to return to work
- 6.4 Injured worker placements incentive schemes operated by jurisdictional workers’ compensation authorities
- 6.5 Responsibilities of the workers’ compensation authorities or insurers
- 6.6 Functions and training of workplace rehabilitation coordinators
- 6.7a Responsibilities of workplace rehabilitation provider
- 6.7b Rehabilitation provider qualifications and fee structure
- 6.8 Prescribed time periods to establish a return to work plan