Return to Work for Workers
Whether you have experienced a physical or psychological injury, work is part of a healthy recovery. In fact, most workplace injuries don’t need to result in time away from work—especially when supports and accommodations are in place early. Work is an important part of your overall health, from physical and mental health, to financial and social health. It's good for all of us, and for our families.
That’s why we focus on helping you return to work safely, and as early as possible—along with treatment and recovery.
Helping you get back to work is part of the claim process
Not only is return to work important for recovery, but it’s part of the WCB claim process, and in fact, it’s part of the law. You and your employer have a legal obligation under the Workers’ Compensation Act to work together in the return-to-work process. This is called Duty to Cooperate and means you must:
- Contact your employer quickly after your injury and stay in touch during your recovery
- Work with your employer to find suitable work options during your recovery
- Accept suitable work that your employer offers you
- Stay in touch and give WCB information about your return to work in a timely manner
Workers who don’t meet their obligations may risk losing benefits. If it is found that a worker is not cooperating, compensation benefits could be held back, paused, or even stopped completely. But you're not alone—WCB, your employer, and your health care team are all part of your return-to-work journey.
Transitional work and accommodations
Working while recovering is about something called transitional work. Transitional work is temporary, it’s work that needs to be done, and work you can do safely when injured. Transitional work can take many different forms—and they can all help you heal faster. For example:
Changes to your job or tasks you do
Making changes or accommodations means making your work safe to do, and possible to do, while you heal. Some examples are:
- Sitting instead of standing
- Not lifting more than 20lbs
- No climbing ladders
- Taking breaks more often
Temporary reassignment
Instead of a job which normally requires physical strength and heavy lifting, your transitional work could be training new staff.
Changes to how often, or how long you work
As you heal, your return to work might be gradual, like doing shorter shifts, or putting in 2 days a week to start. You might then add another shift or work longer hours as you heal, get stronger, and can do more.
Psychological injury
Safe return to work helps healing and recovery for all types of injuries. Learn more about transitional work for psychological injuries.
Your return-to-work team
After you're injured, take comfort in knowing there’s a team of people dedicated to your recovery and return-to-work plan. But it’s important to know the return-to-work process can start right away. Better outcomes happen when you have early discussions with your employer about safe and suitable ways for you to stay at work while the claims process is happening.
A return-to-work team includes:
Worker
You are at the heart of the team—and have the most important role of all. You’re the best person to suggest what’s needed to support your return to work. The team will rely on you to get treatment and talk to your employer about what changes are needed to accommodate you while you heal.
Employer
Your employer will work with you and your health care provider to identify and provide transitional work you can do safely. If you’re away from work, your employer will keep in touch and help keep you connected to the workplace. They will help create a return-to-work plan and monitor your progress.
WCB case worker
The case worker is your main point of contact at the WCB. Their job is to help you with your injury claim in a fair and objective way. They coordinate and monitor all health and rehabilitation services. Your case worker will work with all the team members to help get a return-to-work plan in place. This may involve a case conference where everyone on the team meets to come up with the plan.
Health care providers
These are the people who diagnose and provide treatment for your injury. For sprain or strain type injuries, your health care provider is often a physiotherapist or chiropractor. Other health care providers can also be part of your return to work team depending on the type of injury. The health care providers job is to understand your work environment and job demands, to determine what work can be safely done with your specific injury. They will also keep track of your recovery progress and update the return-to-work plan as your abilities improve.
Talk to your WCB case worker
Your thoughts and opinions are important in the return-to-work process. Along the way, you may have questions or concerns about a step in the process. For example, you’re back at work and need changes to your transitional work. Keeping good communication with your supervisor is important, and you can always reach out to your case worker for support. They’re here to help.
Resources
Understanding transitional work for workers (PDF)
Transitional work opportunities checklist (PDF)
When returning to work requires transitional plans and accommodations after a psychological injury.
Watch this video series:
How can staying at work while I recover be a good thing?
Why are transitional duties often so important?
How can transitional duties help me stay at work?