Return To Work Checklist – Manager/Supervisor

Return to Work Toolkit

Information for Managers and Supervisors Benefits of Returning an Injured Worker to Work

July 2011

Getting started

The Return to Work Toolkit is designed to assist employer’s Return to Work Coordinators perform their role effectively. Using the toolkit is optional; however it can make return to work planning easier.

This fact sheet will help communicate the benefits of returning an injured worker to work to their manager and supervisor.

This template can be customised to suit your workplace and needs. Simply delete this box when you’re ready to start and insert your own workplace branding and information.

The Return to Work Toolkit is available to download from worksafe.vic.gov.au/rtw

Information for Managers and Supervisors Page 1 of 3 Benefits of Returning an Injured Worker to Work Information for Managers and Supervisors Benefits of Returning an Injured Worker to Work

Supporting an injured worker’s return to work is not always easy, but it’s good for the worker and good for business. This facts sheet aims to help you understand why return to work is so important, what you can do to help and where you can get more information.

Why it’s so important to return an injured worker back to work

You play a key role in assisting injured workers to return to early, safe and sustainable work.

By playing an active role:  Your workers (who are vital to your business’ success) will recover faster after injury.  You retain the skills and knowledge of your injured workers.  You reduce the costs of lost productivity.  You reduce the costs of recruiting and training new staff to cover the role.  You help build morale in the workplace by showing all employees that the injured worker is valued.  You limit the negative impact of the injury on your employer’s reputation.  You reduce the impact of the claim on your employer’s WorkSafe Injury Insurance premium.

So, the earlier you start working with your Return to Work Coordinator and your injured worker, the better the outcome for everyone involved.

Things you should know about return to work

 The relationship between the manager/supervisor and an injured worker can have a significant impact on the speed and sustainability of return to work outcomes. You can make a big difference!  Your injured worker’s return to work is a team effort. It involves you, your employer’s Return to Work Coordinator and WorkSafe Agent, your injured worker, their doctor and an occupational rehabilitation provider (if one is involved). Without your support, it is harder for all those involved to do their part.  Your employer’s return to work obligations start even before an injured worker’s claim has been accepted by your employer’s WorkSafe Agent – they commence when your employer receives an injured worker’s WorkSafe Certificate of Capacity or claim for weekly payments, whichever is earlier, or from the date you are advised by your employer’s WorkSafe Agent that they have received these documents.  Your employer has legal obligations under the Accident Compensation Act 1985. It’s the role of the Return to Work Coordinator to assist them to meet these obligations. Employers who breach their return to work obligations risk prosecution and significant financial penalties.  Your worker doesn’t need to be 100% recovered to return to work. Returning to work is actually an important part of their recovery.  Whether it’s on reduced hours in their regular job or on modified or alternative duties, getting your worker back to work is an important part of their rehabilitation while they are recovering.

Information for Managers and Supervisors Page 2 of 3 Benefits of Returning an Injured Worker to Work What you can do to help

If someone is injured  Notify your Return to Work Coordinator immediately if you become aware that a worker is injured or ill at work.  Ensure that the worker’s injury/illness is recorded in your employer’s Register of Injuries.  Work with your Occupational Health & Safety representative to ensure there is no ongoing danger following a workplace injury/illness.  Let your employer’s Return to Work Coordinator know what has been done to ensure the safety of the injured worker and their colleagues as a result of the incident.

Working with your employer’s Return to Work Coordinator  Work with your Return to Work Coordinator to help them identify suitable duties and modifications that could be made to the workplace to assist the worker to return to work.  Provide your Return to Work Coordinator with:  A position description for the injured worker.  A completed job duties register for the worker’s role.  Have a plan for the worker’s first day back. You should:  Ensure you or one of the worker’s close workmates meets and greets them.  Talk with them before they start about what they’ll be doing for the first day and week.  Have a review with the worker and the Return to Work Coordinator at the end of their first day.  Encourage the worker’s colleagues to provide a positive return to work environment and support the injured worker to return to work.  Ensure the injured worker does not push themselves too hard too early. You should:  Watch for signs of recurrence or aggravation of the injury.  Talk to the Return to Work Coordinator immediately if you notice or the worker reports recurrence of the injury.  Watch for signs of increased or decreased capacity.  Revise the return to work arrangements if the worker’s capacity changes.

Supporting your worker  From the moment you become aware of the worker’s injury or illness, support your worker. Be respectful and non- judgemental in conversations with the worker and in conversations about them to others involved in their return to work. The first conversations with the worker following an injury/illness often ‘set the scene’ for how positive the worker will feel about their injury, you, their employer and return to work.  Based on advice from your Return to Work Coordinator, keep in regular contact with your injured worker and make sure they still feel part of the team. If appropriate, invite them to attend meetings, training, send them work newsletters or updates to help them feel connected while they are recovering.  When talking with the worker show genuine interest, talk about their recovery to see how they are going, offer your assistance and don’t put unnecessary pressure on them to get back to work.  When talking with the worker focus on what the worker can do, rather than what they can’t. Be respectful and non- judgmental when speaking both with and about them.

Where to get more information

 Your Return to Work Coordinator  Your employer’s WorkSafe Agent  WorkSafe website worksafe.vic.gov.au

 WorkSafe Advisory Service on freecall 1800 136 089

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