Return-to-Work

Making a Strong Case for Return-to-Work

When a workplace injury occurs, the cost to employers begins to add up immediately. The direct costs alone of occupational injuries and illnesses exceed $60 billion annually. And the indirect costs can be 3 to 10 times as much as the direct costs.

Besides prevention, return-to-work programs that include transitional work are one of the best ways to control the costs and minimize the negative impact on employees' productivity, morale and absenteeism.

Transitional work, also known as restricted-duty jobs, enables people to return to work sooner. To make it work for you, University Hospitals CompCare suggests:

• Use engineering controls, ergonomics and protective equipment to improve injury-causing jobs.
• Create transitional jobs that are valuable and interesting, not useless and demeaning. On the other hand, they should not be more desirable than other jobs.
• Identify essential job functions, and then determine which tasks can be eliminated or re-allocated.
• Be flexible; highly specific, personalized solutions may be necessary.
• Communicate with physicians about job restrictions and accommodations.

We specialize in helping our customers implement and manage these programs. You can get started by calling us at 1-800-818-7273.