Your role in helping workers return to work
It takes a team to help injured workers recover and return to their normal lives. As part of that team, you provide health care advice and support the worker's recovery. Your collaboration and communication with the worker and the employer about the value of recovering at work are important elements in recovery.
Talk to your patient (the injured worker) about what they can do, rather than what they can't do. Encourage your patient to keep in regular contact with the employer.
Your input will help the employer and worker make important decisions and shape their ideas about what duties are both possible and safe for the worker.
Benefits of return to work
When people are hurt or injured, recovering at work is one of the best things they can do for their overall health.
Performing meaningful work while recovering helps workers:
- Stay connected to their workplaces
- Maintain their overall physical and mental well-being
- Maintain their income levels
- Accelerate their recovery
That's why we partner and collaborate with workers, employers, and health care providers in a worker's recovery. We all share the goal of the worker's timely and safe return to employment.
For information on assessing a worker’s capabilities and limitations, see Principles of active rehabilitation & return to work.
Our role is to coordinate and monitor the progress of the worker's recovery. We're available to work with you at each step.
Need help?
Please call our Claims Call Centre if you have concerns about an injured worker's recovery.
Related links
Resources
Typical physical limitations for common injuries
This document provides a list of typical limitations for common physical injuries.