PURPOSE

This policy is in place to ensure ABC Home Care Co. provides meaningful work activity for employees who are temporarily unable to perform all, or portions, of their regular work assignments or duties. This policy applies to employees suffering from either work- or non-work-related injury or illness. The goal is to allow valued company employees to return to productive, regular work as quickly as possible. By providing temporary transitional or modified work activity, injured and recovering employees remain an active and vital part of the company. Studies show that a well-constructed Return to Work Policy reduces lost time days, allows workers to recover more quickly and makes for a more positive work environment.

 

SCOPE

All active employees who become temporarily unable to perform their regular job duties due to a compensable work-related or non-work-related injury or illness may be eligible for transitory work duties within the provisions of this program. Return to work tasks may be in the form of:

  • Changed duties within the scope of the employee’s current position
  • Other available jobs for which the employee qualifies, outside of the scope of his or her current position
  • An altered schedule of work hours

 

DEFINITIONS

  • Transitional duty is a therapeutic tool used to accelerate an injured employee’s return to work by addressing the physical, emotional, attitudinal and environmental factors that otherwise inhibit a prompt return to work. These assignments are meant to be temporary and may be limited to 90 days, though ABC Home Care Co. permits multiple 90-day assignments back-to-back if it is medically warranted.
  • Alternate duty is a part of ABC Home Care Co.’s Return to Work policy. The policy is designed as a placement service for individuals who have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and are still unable to perform the essential functions of their pre-injury jobs.

 

Download Return To Work Policy PDF

 

Prepared by Odell Studner
This Return to Work Policy is a guideline. It does not address potential compliance issues with Federal, State or local OSHA or any other regulatory agency standards. Nor is it meant to be exhaustive or construed as legal advice. Consult your licensed commercial Property and Casualty representative at Odell Studner or legal counsel to address possible compliance requirements. © 2000, 2015 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved