Step 2

Develop a
Return-to-Work Policy Statement

Develop a Return-to-Work Policy Statement

The Return-to-Work policy statement is a joint labor/management directive offering an introduction to the workforce of your company’s Return-to-Work program. Your company’s policy statement will be a point of reference throughout the entire development and maintenance of your Return-to-Work program as it sets the general scope and guideline for your program.

As the first tool that will be used to inform the workforce of your company’s new Return-to-Work policy, a great deal of care should go into its development. Critical to the success of this approach with your workforce are the suggestions and guidance of a diverse Return-to-Work committee. Use your initial committee meetings as a forum opportunity to discuss ideas, concerns, and all the pertinent aspects of your program that need to be addressed in your policy statement.

Develop a Return-to-Work philosophy based on the following principles:

Involve the work force (management, supervisors, and workers).
Establish a joint employee/management committee.
Always treat an injured or ill worker with dignity, consideration, and respect.
Make a commitment to support the injured worker's medical treatment.
Focus on a person's capabilities, not their disabilities.
Make a commitment to endeavor to return injured workers to their original jobs as effectively as possible.
Mandatory participation by both labor and management.

Please refer to the appendixes listed below containing samples to help guide your committee in the creation of your company’s Return-to-Work policy.

See:

Appendix K	Sample Philosophy of a Return-to-Work Program	HTML	PDF
Appendix L	Key Decision Points in Transitional Employment	HTML	PDF
Appendix M	Return-to-Work Policy Statement Example	HTML	PDF
Appendix N	Return-to-Work Policy Statement Example	HTML	PDF
Appendix O	Return-to-Work Policy Statement Example	HTML	PDF