Page 13 - 11-2315_vFINs LCM ebook

Return-to-Work

Return-to-work best practices

• Workplace policies include a formal RTW program and policy statement

• Preferred health care providers identifed

• Responsibility and procedures for immediate claim reporting and ongoing contact with injured employee determined

• Job descriptions including physical job demands established

• Temporary transitional work assignments identifed

• RTW policy, purpose and responsibilities communicated to all managers and employees

• Conduct ergonomic risk assessments to identify necessary job modifcations

• RTW policy and transitional work alternatives communicated to health care provider for initial assessment

• Temporary transitional work assignment offered as soon as medically appropriate

• Consider alternative work options (non-for-proft work) for cases where on-site RTW is ruled out

Top ten reasons return-to-work programs fail

1. Failure to accommodate employees with restrictions

2. Failure to obtain senior management support

3. Failure to match the capabilities of new employees with the physical demands of the job, as well as to perform other screening activities

4. Failure to communicate return to work expectations with employees and physicians

5. Failure to properly assess and develop a formal return to work program, with parameters and guidelines

6. Failure to accept that early return to work takes time and effort

7. Failure to obtain detailed information from providers with which to make informed return to work decisions

8. Failure to assign injured workers to meaningful tasks and gradually adjust those tasks during the recovery process

9. Failure to address performance issues as they occur, causing potential problems if an injury occurs

10. Failure to differentiate between temporary and permanent accommodations (ADA)

12 This is intended as a general description of certain types of managed care services available to qualifed customers through Zurich Services Corporation,

an individual member company of Zurich in North America. Zurich Services Corporation does not guarantee a particular outcome, reduction in costs or improvement in administration and further assumes no liability in connection with the providing of these services. ©2011 Zurich Services Corporation

Zurich

1400 American Lane, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196-1056 800 382 2150 www.zurichna.com