Foundation of a Best in Class Early Return - to - Work Program

Much has been said about the benefit of workers' compensation early return-to-work programs and how such programs improve the situation of injured workers and reduce costs to employers. A fundamental requirement to establishing a best in class program is communicating with injured workers in a respectful, kind, consistent, and knowledgeable manner. Department Return-to-Work staff should:

• Communicate with the injured employee early and provide them with information related to early returnto-work and the workers' compensation third party administrator.
• Become a resource and provide the injured employee with your contact information and return phone calls.
• Emphasize the collaborative nature of the early returnto-work process.
• Engage the workers' compensation third party administrator to obtain work restrictions and capacities from the treating physician.
• Work with the injured workers' supervisor to research and evaluate possible accommodations.
• Communicate temporary alternate or modified positions to the injured employee in a positive manner.
• Convey your willingness to assist the injured employee if problems arise during the workers' compensation process.