An effective return-to-work program provides the following benefits for workers and employers:
What it means for workers:
- Reduces or eliminates lost earnings
- Helps the worker stay active
- Minimizes the impact on the worker's family
Shifts the focus from what a worker 'can't do' to what they 'can do'
- Maintains their sense of confidence and value
- Allows the worker to stay in contact with co-workers and the workplace
- Keeps worker involved in employee benefits programs
What it means for workplaces:
- Allows a skilled and experienced worker to continue as a valuable resource to the company
- Keeps loss of productivity to a minimum
- Reduces the costs of finding and retaining new workers
- Ensures communication between employer and the worker
- Reduces the risk of similar injuries, once the hazards that caused the injury are identified and controlled
- Maintains the morale of the workforce
- Reduces claims cost which can reduce workers’ compensation premiums