Benefits of Your Return to Work (RTW) Program: For You, Your Facility, Your Staff

Your Return to Work Program is a win for all—for you, your facility, and ultimately, most of all, for your employees. However, in the moment of dealing with an injured worker, emotionally charged as those issues can be, embracing the “why” Return to Work (RTW) is the best path can be difficult.

Why RTW Is the Best Path

Here are some considerations we offer in conjunction with our partner, Eastern Alliance:

• Research has shown workers return to their regular jobs more quickly as a part of a RTW program.
• RTW programs demonstrate that getting injured does not mean being out of work, which reduces the risk of fraudulent claims.
• When injured workers feel secure about their employment, and feel valued as a person and employee, they are less likely to seek an attorney.
• As turnover is a huge and ongoing concern, with RTW employers can limit the expense of hiring and training temp and replacement workers due to injury and during recovery.
• RTW programs communicate an employer’s commitment to the well-being of their employees and keep a productive worker who would otherwise be out of work.

Tips for Creating Modified Duty Jobs

• Be proactive—ask your lead staff to make a list of tasks that could be done with varying restrictions.
• Look at the job descriptions you have for each job and highlight the less physically demanding work restrictions, such as:
  • Lifting up to 10 lbs.
  • Must be able to sit a majority of the day
  • No driving, etc.
• Look for tasks that can be done with varying limited restrictions.

Most Important to Your Success in This Area of Work

Consider the basics of Workers’ Compensation and your commitment to RTW as a regular part of your educational calendar.

We are here to help you create and maintain a strong RTW program. Our partner, Eastern Alliance, has excellent resources to assist you in all safety concerns.

For more information on building a strong Return to Work program while decreasing risk, contact Healthcare Risk Services at 601-750-6625 or lanette@hrsins.com.