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Return-to-work programs

Lab Safety Advisor, June 9, 2008

Returning injured employees back to their job in the laboratory as quickly as possible is important, especially at this time of year when many employees are on vacation. However, any return-to-work (RTW) program must be a carefully crafted process to be successful. Managers and supervisors need to have information about both the human and financial costs of workplace injuries as well as the benefits of an early RTW program and their roles and responsibilities. 
 
Managers are reluctant to bring an injured employee back because they want a full performance person to do the job and they believe light duty is difficult to arrange. A good working relationship with the injured employee’s doctor and input from the employee will help get the employee back to work and productive much quicker. 
 
Don’t let misconceptions become roadblocks for your RTW program. Jeffrey Brody, corporate safety director for Honickman Affiliates, says research indicates:
  • Employees recuperate faster when they are active
  • It is less expensive to find a job for an injured worker who needs light duty than to pay worker’s compensation benefits
  • Employees with physical limitations are extremely valuable if given appropriate tasks while they recuperate
  • Pushing an injured worker to do too much can have disastrous results

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