Did you know that small businesses account for nearly 50% of all workers’ compensation claims in the United States? Although workers’ compensation claims can be detrimental to small businesses, they are sometimes inevitable. That’s why it’s so important to instill a Return to Work Program so that employees can get back to work sooner and business owners can prevent big disability claims.
So What is a Return to Work Program?
Great question. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Return to Work Programs are intended to help workers who experience a minor injury or illness to remain at work, and for those with more critical health problems, to return as soon as medically feasible. A Return to Work Program is essential not only for the workers but also for the employers so that they can reduce workers’ compensation costs.
What Are the Major Benefits of Implementing a Return to Work Program?
It may seem like a lot of work to implement an entirely new program for your company but trust me, many benefits come from creating a Return to Work Program. Below we’ve listed some of the main reasons you should consider an RTW Program.
- Reduced workers’ compensation costs: As we’ve already mentioned, this is likely the main reason why a small business owner would want to implement a Return to Work Program. Reducing these costs is crucial to small businesses because of tight budget restraints and limited resources. This can also lead to lower insurance costs and overall better financial stability for your business (who wouldn’t want this?)
- Employee Moral: If you haven’t realized already, company culture not only impacts the employees but also the overall success of a business. When employees feel supported and valued at work, they are more likely to be productive and motivated. You will also probably be able to keep your employees around for longer, as they’ll feel connected and committed to the company. Lower employee turnover means less recruiting and training costs!
- Avoiding Legal Issues: No business owner wants to deal with the fines, penalties, and chaos that workers’ compensation attorneys have to deal with. If workers’ compensation claims are mishandled, it can lead to legal problems that will likely impact the future success of your business.
- Enhanced Reputation: A positive track record of low workers’ compensation claims and high safety measures is sure to attract more customers, partners, and investors who all trust in your business and expertise as a business owner.
Investing in a Return to Work Program can not only result in a safer workplace but also long-term cost savings for your business. Especially as a small business, achieving a safe work environment is essential for maintaining consistent growth in a competitive market.
So How Do I Make a Return-To-Work Program?
To create an effective program, you’re going to want to create a solid foundation and plan to follow it each time one of your workers is injured. We’ve broken this down into five simple steps that you can use to create your program.
Review Local, State, and Federal Laws
This will help you identify any legal requirements that must be addressed in the program. Some federal regulations you are going to want to make sure you research and address are The Americans with Disabilities Act, The Family and Medical Leave Act, Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements, and workers’ compensation mandates.
Write Well-Detailed Job Descriptions
To create a Return to Work Program and policy, you must know the basic responsibilities that the employee must perform with or without accommodation. Make sure to determine which job functions are most important, so recovering employees can work on those and avoid doing non-essential tasks until they are recovered.
Develop a Written Policy
You’re going to want to create clear and comprehensive RTW policies and procedures. This includes outlining your program’s goals, eligibility criteria, and guidelines to follow. Make sure to cover medical accommodations, scheduling accommodations, and communication. Although you will use this policy as a baseline for your program, it’s important to customize and design RTW plans for each individual injured employee.
Consistent Communication and Evaluations
It’s important to implement a process for obtaining an employee’s medical evaluations so that you can frequently check up on the employee’s health and progress with returning to their regular functions at work. You can also use these checkups to assess and create job modifications that may be necessary for your employee to perform their work safely. It’s also important to remain supportive and understanding of the injured worker.
Documentation and Monitoring
Make sure to maintain thorough records of all RTW-related activities including accommodations, medical assessments, and communications. It’s also crucial to monitor your employees’ progress and frequently check in with them and offer support and guidance. Keep reviewing and revising your program to see what works best for your business.
Return to Work Programs are essential for providing a framework that employees can use to easily transition back into their roles after a workplace injury. These programs are crucial for reducing workers’ compensation costs, but more importantly, they foster a workplace culture that values the well-being of its employees.
