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Early Return to Work: For the Injured Worker

This presentation is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the statute, Division rules or procedures.

Your RecoveryYour Recovery

Your first step after an injury at work is to focus on focus on getting well.getting well.

Another important step in your recovery is to get back into a normal routine normal routine - which includes your job - as soon as possible.

Texas Department of InsuranceTexas Department of Insurance

The Division of Workers’ Compensation can help give you the information you need to safely return to workreturn to work.

Early Return to WorkEarly Return to Work

You want to be able to return to your regular jobregular job as soon as possible.

But, your injury may keep you from being able to go back to it right away.

So, you may have to change your job a bit…

Early Return to WorkEarly Return to Work

When your injury keeps you from being able to go back to your regular job right away, your return to work might be described as:

• Light dutyLight duty

• Modified dutyModified duty

• Alternate dutyAlternate duty

• Transitional workTransitional work

Early Return to WorkEarly Return to Work

This may be a temporary change to your regular job such as:

• Modified duties

• Shorter hours, or

• Work that is entirely different*

*due to physical abilities or limitations or required skills

Benefits of Early Return to WorkBenefits of Early Return to Work

Have better and faster recovery Are more likely to have a job to

go back to Remain active and productive Retain job skills Retain company benefits Get support from your co-workers

while you heal

Stay in Touch…Stay in Touch…

With your doctorWith your doctor

Your DoctorYour Doctor

It is easy to stay in touch with your doctor through your appointments:

Go to your doctor appointments, and

Follow your doctor’s recommendations for recovery

Your DoctorYour Doctor

Take advantage of your appointments and talk to talk to your doctor about going your doctor about going back to work.back to work.

You don’t have to be completely recovereddon’t have to be completely recovered to go back to work – you might be able to go back while you are healing.

Your DoctorYour Doctor

Tell your doctor about:• What you do in your regular job• Other jobs in the company (that you don’t normally

do) that you might be able to do temporarily

This will help you and your doctor figure out what work you can do safely.

Stay in Touch…Stay in Touch…

With your employerWith your employer

Your EmployerYour Employer

From the time you are first injured, call your employer regularly to let them know how you are doing.

This helps your employer know that you are interestedare interested in going back to work when the doctor says it is safe for you.

Your EmployerYour Employer

When the doctor says that you can go back to work, talk to your employer and let them know what kind of work the doctor thinks you can do safely.

Many companies have early return to work programs and will try to let you come back to work while you are healingwhile you are healing..

Your EmployerYour Employer

If the doctor tells you that you can’t go back to your regular job right away, ask your employer:

If they can modify your job duties/hours, or

If there are any other jobs in the company (that you don’t normally do) that you might be able to do temporarily.

Working together…Working together…

It takes everyone working together to make early return to work happen - which is good for everyone.

• You get the benefits of working and returning to a normal routine,• Your doctor is successful in helping you improve enough to return

to work, and• Your employer has an experienced employee back at work.

You, your employer and your doctor are the three main parties involved in early return to work.

Other parties that may be involved are:

Working together…Working together…

• Insurance carrier/adjuster• Attorneys• Private rehabilitation services

• Other state agencies (such as Texas Rehabilitation Commission)

Don’t Give Up!Don’t Give Up!

Although sometimes it may seem difficult, don’t give up. If you follow these steps, then you should be on your way back to your normal routine – both at home and on the job.

Don’t Forget!Don’t Forget!

Focus on getting well

Talk to your doctor

Keep in touch with your employer: • Supervisor,• Human Resource Department, or• Other point of contact with your employer

Work toward returning to your regular job, full-time

Don’t give up!