Return to work and disability management

What you should know about returning to work and preventing work disability

What is a return-to-work program?

A return-to-work program is a documented process to identify and provide modified or alternate work (temporary or permanent) for workers who are injured in the workplace. A return-to-work program helps minimize the impacts of disability in the workplace.

Workplace injuries hurt workers and employers. Evidence shows the most effective way to reduce the impacts of work related injures is for employers to develop practical and comprehensive return-to-work programs.

A collaborative approach is recommended to facilitate organizational buy-in. This can be achieved by creating a return-to-work committee involving staff and the union if applicable.

What is a return-to-work plan?

A return-to-work plan is specific to the individual worker and takes into consideration their unique functional abilities skills, concerns, treatment needs and available suitable productive work.

The goal of the return-to-work plan, is to facilitate the return of the worker to their full duties as soon as medically possible.

Why is returning to work the right thing to do?

Supporting workers who are injured to remain at work or return to work while they recover is good for the worker and good for business. Ensuring a timely and safe return to work at suitable duties keeps workers connected to the workplace and can prevent long-term work disability.

Studies have shown that workers often recover faster and have a better chance of returning to full-time employment if they return with modified work rather than recovering at home. The longer a worker is away from work, the less likely they will ever return. Statistics show that after six months, the likelihood is 55 per cent. After one year the chance drops to 32 per cent and after two years, it drops to five per cent.

By getting a worker back to work as soon as it is medically safe, the physical and emotional impact for that worker, the worker’s family and other workers is reduced.

For information on the recovery and return-to-work process in an active claim with the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), visit the WCB’s website.

Benefits for employers

Return-to-work programs:

Maintain skilled and stable workforces.
Maintain productivity and team dynamics.
Develop a stronger relationship with the worker, demonstrating they are valued.
Reduced productivity losses and workflow interruptions.
Reduced costs and your WCB premiums.

Need help?

WorkSafe Saskatchewan has an effective return-to-work course. For more information on establishing a return-to-work program, please contact us.

We have a number of fact sheets available for you to reference while setting up your own return-to-work program.

Returning to work after an absence due to psychological health brings its own challenges. WorkSafe Saskatchewan has developed a return-to-work toolkit to assist employers in transitioning psychologically injured workers back into the workforce.

To learn more about managing a workers’ injury claim, visit the WCB’s website.