Early Return to Work
When an employee is released to return to modified duty work, the employer/insured must be able to accommodate the restrictions given by the authorized treating physician. Failure to accommodate slows the employee’s return and may significantly increase the cost of the claim.
Early Return to Work programs benefit employees and employers. iSurity requires that employers have early return to work programs for their employees.
The benefits of these programs include:
An Improved Work Ethic: If everyone within a company is returned to a productive role following an injury, there will be an atmosphere and attitude of productivity. Employees receive wages, which increases their feeling of self-esteem.
Decreased Chances of Re-injury Upon Returning to Normal Duties: Sometimes workers have little or no physical activity while they’re away from work, so they lose muscle tone and gain weight. Then when they return to their normal job after several weeks of inactivity, they may become easily injured or re-injured. Bringing employees back to a productive role as soon as possible can help them maintain strength and minimize the chance of re- injury.
Motivation: Employees who return to their regular position or alternative modified duty as soon as medically possible are productive, which is self-motivating. They stay in the rhythm of a constructive life - working normal or shorter hours, engaged in their child care arrangements (if applicable), traveling to and from work and other important activities in their lives.
Reduction in Worker's Compensation Insurance Cost: Every company has the opportunity to reduce what they need to pay on an annual basis for Workers' Compensation insurance by having a strong return to work program. Since a company’s rates are based on a three year average of the frequency and severity of injuries (known as the experience modification factor), your investment in creating an effective return to work program can pay off in lower insurance rates.
Reduces Chances of Permanent Disability and Vocational Rehabilitation: There are psychological and physical elements to rehabilitation. Rehabilitation experts report that when an employee returns to an engaged role at work, he or she receives the psychological advantage of feeling productive. This mental stimulation contributes to a person’s feeling of well being, accelerates physical healing and facilitates his or her total rehabilitation. Everyone gains when an injured employee avoids a permanent disability and vocational rehabilitation services are not required.
Reduction of Indirect Cost of Injuries: The hidden uninsured cost of injuries generally exceeds the insured costs by approximately 1 to 5 times. Through a decrease in frequency and severity and a strong return to work effort, you will reduce the hidden costs of injuries.
The following is a partial list of the more common indirect costs:
- Wages paid to the injured employee - other than Workers’ Compensation
- Costs for coverage or replacement labor including overtime for other employees, temporary labor, hiring a back-up worker, and training
- Profitability losses for production delays and interruptions
- Time/value cost of investigating accident, and submitting accident and injury information to insurance company
- Costs for any damage to building(s), tools, equipment, materials or products
- Outlays for medical supplies furnished within the company
- Time lost by the need to have another employee accompany the injured worker to the clinic
Early return to work programs create a winning situation for all parties involved. The recovering worker is able to continue to work and receive wages. The company has a trained and productive employee contributing to the efficiency of the company. The other employees not only have their colleague working with them again, but they are reminded that their employer cares about the employees and their well-being.
If you have any questions about early return to work programs, please contact the iSurity Claims Department at 1-800-869-3999.