On the 4th of April, the National Council on Compensation Insurance published a report on the successful return-to-work programs from the insurer’s point of view. They talk about the necessary components and tools to guarantee a smooth transition back to work.
Insurers specify that programs that rely on communication and collaboration successfully get injured workers back to the work environment. An affiliate services executive at an insurance company says that management commitment is the main element for the program to be successful.
Management Commitment is Essential
The process begins with management’s willingness to employ return-to-work strategies within their operations. Next, it needs to become a formalized process embedded into the company’s culture. For example, when an employee is injured, the organization should clearly want the employee back at work whenever possible, even if they need to arrange a different set-up.
When making accommodations, employers often overlook the possibility of modifying the duties of an injured worker as they recover to create a temporary position for them. They also miss building a relationship with the medical facility before the accident occurs.
Providing employees with a copy of the organization’s return-to-work program and treating physicians makes a huge difference. The document explains to all parties the options available for the treatment. It also shows that the goal for the injured employee is to return to work as soon as possible.
Workers comp insurance is essential in helping employees get back to work, which is why workers comp insurance is mandatory in most states. However, employee job descriptions greatly facilitate an organization’s ability to modify the state of duty. It is an easy task to change the job’s summary to match the physical condition of the injured worker. Therefore, businesses have the opportunity to be creative when it comes to returning to work job descriptions to benefit the injured worker.
The insurance industry sometimes uses a network of medical practitioners who specialize in occupational injuries and know about transitional return-to-work programs. But, according to the report, insurers stressed the importance of a return-to-work coordinator to ensure the entire process runs smoothly.
Additionally, insurers reported focusing on education regarding the benefits of return-to-work programs. However, their emphasis was on the necessary administrative steps for success, especially when dealing with small and midsize accounts without an established return-to-work program.
Usually, the claims adjusters and loss control teams are the ones who support organizations in creating back-to-work programs. In addition to education and training, the insurers offer return-to-work program guides that are easily modified to serve clients’ needs. In addition, risk control consultants provide detailed job roles and responsibilities for organizations.
2 Benefits Of Return-To-Work Programs
A return-to-work program (RTW) is a plan organized by the employer to get injured workers back to work as soon as possible after a work-related injury occurs. It is salient to ensure that injured employees can stay engaged with the workplace while they recuperate. This type of program offers advantages for both employees and employers.
- Retain Experienced Workers
One extraordinary benefit of this program is that companies retain experienced workers. Without a proper scheme, injured workers might spend a long time recuperating. It will lead to them getting discouraged and not wanting to return to work. Losing a valuable employee costs a lot of money for companies. It costs more to train a new worker than retain the current employee. Other employees should cover work for the new person, which reduces their productivity.
These programs help organizations keep the injured workers’ productive while out of work and in contact with the company. This way, employees can return to the workplace as soon as they are physically capable.
Another great benefit is that the programs create a better employer-employee relationship. A successful RTW plan shows that the employer cares about its workers and their welfare. In return, the employee will be happy to come back to work. Besides improving the relationships, this will also reduce the turnover rate.
- Boosts Workers Morale
An RTW scheme helps the employees in multiple ways. The most crucial benefit is the worker has financial security if any work-related accidents or illnesses might occur. If a typical worker is temporarily totally disabled, they get a weekly aid of only 60% of his average weekly salary. It makes workers more secure about their job, and they will want to return to work to earn their full salary.
These projects help workers maintain their social connections if they return to work once they are physically able. A daily work routine gives them a sense of purpose and achievement. Employees that are away from work for a long time become unproductive and lose their work skills.
Another benefit of implementing the RTW initiative is that it will boost workers’ morale, knowing they have a place to come back that provides the necessary accommodations.
As the report suggests, return-to-work in comp programs are very successful when companies and insurers work together. Running businesses as safely as possible should always be the number one goal.
