What is a Return to Work Plan?

A return to work plan provides the details of how you can return to work. It is similar to a program that a injured footballer would follow in relation to the getting back into a game - for example, they may only be allowed to play part of the game and possibly in a different position. This is known as gradual return and conditioning without exacerbating the injury. Most sports professionals including tennis, cricket & soccer players play sport full time, this is their job and because it is critical for them to get back to work, the management of sports related injuries is excellent and the model which should be followed.

Their model is based on early intervention and a proper injury management plan which includes treatment. It is put together by a team of specialists, that is, a doctor, physiotherapists etc, and it commences within hours after an injury occurs and the majority of sports professionals or clubs employ a team of health professionals.

The same approach should be used for work related injuries a person with their treating doctor (who has access to these health professional i.e. physiotherapist etc) should be able to put together a treatment and return to work plan immediately following the injury. However some injuries are very serious particularly those requiring hospitalisation and this person may take a while to recover and be certified fit for suitable duties.

Returning to work on suitable duties is the same. A person who is injured may not be able to return to work full time and may need a programme of gradual return, that is, work conditioning This could be for a few hours a day with a gradual increase every week until they resume normal duties. Or alternatively the person may return to a different position as outlined in the examples below:
· An ambulance officer with a back injury may not be able to return to emergency response work, however may return to office duties or telephone response.
· A kitchen hand who has severely lacerated fingers would not be able to return to food handling or preparation however may return to work in a temporary position of ordering supplies etc
· A police officer with a knee injury i.e. cartilage may not be able to return to response duties and may have to work in intelligence or on full station and report writing duties
· A plant operator with a broken arm may be provided with a job as a supervisor.
· A childcare worker with a back injury may have restrictions on lifting or carrying children and may either have to return to work on a gradual plan or work with another colleague.

The plan should provide the details of the hours an injured person can return to work for as well as how many days.
Every injury is different for example a broken arm is different to a strained shoulder and the recovery of certain injuries will longer than others. Therefore every return to work plan will vary.

The return to work plan should also clearly state any restrictions for example if a person is not able to operate heavy equipment or machinery, or they have restrictions on lifting over a certain weight.
If you experience a problem with a return to work plan contact your union.

Advice

For information and advice on rehabilitation, workers compensation and benefits and occupational health contact your union.

For further information

Contact	:	OHS & Workers Compensation Officer - Mary Yaager
Phone	:	+61 2 9264 1691
Email	:	m.yaager@labor.org.au
WWW	:	http://ohsnet.labor.net.au/ohsnet/news

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