Research has shown that the longer injured employees stay away from work, the more likely they are to be permanently disabled. Injured employees who do not return to work within six months have only a 50 percent chance of ever returning to the job they held at the time of injury. After more than a year, the likelihood of an injured employee returning decreases to less than 10 percent.
Employer actions have a significant impact on how quickly injured employees return to productivity and how much your workers’ compensation program costs. Your willingness to create opportunities for temporary modified duty is the key to a successful return to work program. State Fund has many resources available to you, such as our return to work coordinators and health consultants who may review your injured employee’s disability status, and work with you to plan temporary modified duty based on the employee’s restrictions. With your help and encouragement, employees can safely return to work in a capacity suitable for their current capabilities, with progressively fewer restrictions as healing occurs. This graduated reintegration back into the workplace gives the best chance for a successful recovery.
Part of State Fund’s Return to Work program is the identification and reduction of medically unnecessary disability days. To that end State Fund will facilitate an ongoing dialogue with the injured employee, policyholder, and treating physician. Good communication among all these stakeholders is important to the success of returning the injured employee to work.
State Fund is committed to help an injured employee return to work as soon as possible. Early intervention is important. By preventing or minimizing time away from work:
State Fund offers assistance in returning all injured employees to work, regardless of the number of employees or premium size of the employer. Take advantage of the expert advice, assistance and resources available from State Fund professionals. Review the publications listed below or contact your local State Fund office for more details.
