Return To Work Programs

Establishing a Return to Work (RTW) program is a key part of a comprehensive risk management program along with an active safety program, ongoing review of workplace design and process, and proactive claims management.

RTW helps reduce costs significantly by providing the opportunity for injured workers to be productive members of the work force while they recover from their injuries. RTW uses transitional, modified work assignments during the recovery process, depending on the physical capability of the injured worker.

Our case managers, medical care representatives, vocational counselors and safety specialists work together with the employer and medical provider to develop a program that allows an injured worker to re-enter the workplace while recovering. Each program is tailored specifically to meet the needs of the injured worker and the employer.

Why have an RTW program?

What can I do to get my employees back to work?

How do I train my staff to implement the RTW program?

Keys to a successful RTW program

Return-to-Work Templates

Why Have an RTW program?

A transitional job, designed through an RTW program, can be the first step in a successful return to full duty.

• Injured workers recover faster when involved in a transitional RTW assignment. 
• Companies that have provided RTW opportunities have realized a 20% to 40% savings in workers’ compensation costs.
• Reintroducing injured workers to the workplace not only lowers workers’ compensation costs but also the costs associated with hiring and training replacement workers.
• Studies show that the longer an injured worker remains out of work, the less likely he or she will return to legitimate, gainful employment.

With RTW, employers save money, retain valuable employees, and help maintain employee morale and loyalty.

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What can I do to get my employees back to work?

There are several things the employer can do to assist in the rehabilitation of your injured workers:

Report accidents to NYSIF as soon as possible using NYSIF eFROI^®

• For reportable accidents, file a C-2 form with the WCB and NYSIF promptly;
• Communicate frequently with your NYSIF case manager to request medical or vocational assistance for an employee;
• Be proactive by identifying light duty assignments or modifications to the workplace to enable injured workers to return to work sooner.

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Training and communication

Training supervisory staff in the principles and procedures of a RTW program is essential. Training topics should include:

• Accident reporting and investigation
• Need for early and ongoing communication
• Job modifications and alternative assignments
• Methods of documentation

Communication with the injured worker, medical team and co-workers is necessary to identify limitations and address them in the return-to-work experience. This also improves morale and productivity.

NYSIF’s case management team offers professional support and direction in setting up a RTW program. Nurse and vocational case managers and loss control representatives are available to assist your organization in developing transitional work assignments and implementing your program.

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The keys to a successful RTW program

To be successful, RTW must include all of the following:

• Administrative commitment and support, as part of a fully integrated risk management program;
• Clear communication throughout the organization; development of clear goals, outcomes and policies for the program;
• Identification of an RTW coordinator or facilitator (NYSIF may help you identify coordinator responsibilities);
• Prompt filing of a C-11 form for any injured worker participating in an RTW program;
• Focus on a worker’s skills and abilities, not his or her disabilities.

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Return-to-Work Templates

Each Return-to-Work form is a template in Microsoft Word format. Download your template and save it as a template file. Download the RTW Flowchart for a step-by-step guide to the Return-to-Work process.

NYSIF offers instructions on saving templates for future use.

Title	Description/Instructions
Return-to-Work Policy Statement	Serves notice and explains your RTW policy to employees. We recommend presenting this to new employees upon orientation and redistributing this on a regular basis to all employees. Employees should know what to expect if they are injured on the job, and that their healthy recovery is a top priority that involves them, their doctors and their supervisors.
Notice to NYSIF of a Return-To-Work Case	Alerts NYSIF that you have identified an injured employee as a possible participant in your RTW program. In some cases, NYSIF will notify your company to a claim potentially appropriate for RTW.
Return-to-Work Job Demands Analysis	This is filled in by the employer and accompanies the Doctor Notification Letter. It summarizes the employee's current job duties and physical requirements of that job. You can also use this form to identify transitional duty throughout your company and present the doctor with a transitional position for your employee. Copy NYSIF.
Return-to-Work Doctor Notification Letter	Advises the doctor of your company's RTW program, directs the physician's attention to information about the employee's job demands, and asks the doctor to fill in, sign and return information concerning the employee's physical capabilities. This should be provided to the injured worker to give to the physician or sent to the physician directly by you. Copy NYSIF after the doctor completes the form.
Return-to-Work Availability Letter	This should be sent to the injured worker by certified mail as a documented offer of a transitional duty position; a copy should be kept on file by the employer, and a third copy sent to NYSIF. This letter is an important document if transitional duty is refused.
Return-to-Work Physical Capabilities Worksheet	This form accompanies the Doctor Notification Letter to be completed by the doctor upon examination of the injured worker. It should be provided to your employee to start the RTW process once an injury is reported. You should also send it to the treating physician on a regular basis, so that work restrictions can be addressed at each examination. Copy NYSIF after the doctor completes the form.