RETURN TO WORK
"The injured worker had been off work for two years, and the case cost estimate was about $250,000.then they call me. "

By this stage, the worker had adopted some perspectives that were not helpful in their returning to work, and the employer was frustrated at the lack of progress.

What was required was persistence in arranging a meeting with the worker, and then the medical practitioner who had been writing out the Certificates of Capacity; the worker needed to understand the big picture regarding their return to work prospects, and the medical practitioner was not doing the worker any favours by writing out Certificates stating the worker was unfit for work, when a graduated return to alternative duties was reasonable.

By demonstrating to the injured worker that the employer was prepared to persevere to get them back, would provide alternative duties and suitable equipment, and comply with medical restrictions on activities, the injured worker has made a good recovery to alternative duties.

• What system do YOU have for managing Return to Work programs?
• Do you actively manage the programs, or leave it all to your WorkCover insurer?