Research has shown that the longer injured employees stay away from work, the more likely they are to become 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 policy costs. Your willingness to create opportunities to keep or return your injured employees to work is the key to a successful return to work program and reduced costs. Reemployment of your employee may also comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
State Fund is committed to helping you return an injured employee to work as soon as possible. We have 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.
Early intervention is important. Part of our 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 you, your injured worker, and the treating physician. Good communication among all stakeholders is important to successfully getting your employee back to work.
Establishing a return to work program benefits you. By preventing or minimizing time away from work:
State Fund offers employers assistance in returning all injured employees to work, regardless of the number of employees or premium size. Visit our Return to Work Program page, and take advantage of the expert advice, assistance, and resources available from State Fund professionals.
