Management Led Safety

March 12, 2015

Return to work programs minimize the emotional and economic impact a work related injury has on both the employee and the employer by returning the injured or ill employee back to work as soon as medically feasible. These programs should create a partnership between the employee and employer to ensure both parties’ needs are met. A successful return to work program can also be structured by the institutions’ human resource departments to be used when an employee experiences a non-work related illness or injury. In order to start or continue a return to work program there needs to be buy in from senior management and there needs to be a clearly defined policy. Below is some additional information in regards to return to work programs.

Benefits of Return to Work Programs
•Shows the employer values the employee and his/her contributions to the institution and the employee is an asset to the institution
•Employees are less likely to experience secondary complications such as depression
•Allows the employee to maintain contact with co-workers

Continual and Effective Communication
•Early contact with the employee by the workers compensation administrator, immediate supervisor and/or director of the department sets the tone for the entire recovery
•Early communication helps the employee feel connected to the workplace
•Early communication should not consist of blame or employer financial concern
•Employer and supervisor should remain positive and empathetic and convey concern for the employee’s health and well being
•Remind the employee of the return to work program
•Create a welcoming environment for the employee to return to
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Review the job description of the employees
•Make sure position descriptions are accurate and clearly define the unrestricted duties of the employee. This allows the medical provider to fully understand the job requirements
•Clearly outline job tasks with physical demands.

Develop an injury/ illness packet
•Letter to health care provider
•Define responsibilities
•Return to work policy
•Link to the UW system or institution website for Workers Compensation information

March 5, 2015

The purpose of an organization’s safety committee is to bring a representation of employees and management together to discuss and promote occupational safety and health within that organization.