Developing, Implementing and Maintaining an Effective Return to Work Program
A successful Return to Work Program helps reduce workers’ compensation costs and increase employee productivity. The purpose of the program is to help injured employees return to their previous economic, social and vocational status.
A Return to Work Program:
- Progressively returns an injured or ill employee to full duty
- Minimizes the emotional and economic costs of a workplace injury to both the employer and employee
- Contributes to employee retention
Advantages of Return to Work Programs
Advantages for the employee:
- Increased sense of well-being by staying productive
- Increased job security
- Decreased fear of losing employer-sponsored benefits
- Promotes healing
Benefits for the employer:
- Reduced number of lost work days, disability payments and potentially litigation costs
- Maintained productivity
- Low-cost source of temporary additional workforce
- Improved employee morale and labor relations
- Decreased potential for fraud
Resources for Developing Successful Programs
- The Return to Work Policy guide focuses on the components and processes necessary for a successful return to work program.
- A number of other resources addressing Return to Work Programs are available to members through the Resource Library.
- Members can contact the MCIT Workers’ Compensation division with their return to work questions. Call the MCIT attorney for program management or MCIT workers’ compensation claims manager toll-free at 1.866.547.6516 or send an e-mail.