The relationship an injured worker has with their supervisor can influence how they feel about returning to work, and how smoothly and safely that transition happens. This influence makes it critical that organizations ensure their supervisors know how
to proceed with injured staff after an accident, and that they coordinate with HR and other involved in the claims process. Here are three tips to help supervisors have a positive impact on your injured worker and the recovery and return-to-work process.
- Check in with injured workers after they have received care. It is important for injured employees to stay connected to their workplace and coworkers. This call can help in that effort. We recommend that, in appropriate circumstances,
the supervisor talk to the worker about their outlook on returning to work, and what concerns they may have around that step. Help remove barriers that may make a worker less willing or interested to come back to work in a transitional light-duty
role. Continue regular check-ins as long as the employee is away from the workplace.
- Do not tell the worker there is no light-duty without speaking to HR and others involved in the claims process. Many organizations have the capacity to have injured workers work outside their normal workgroup or facility. If you need
light duty job ideas, AWC's salary survey job bank may have ideas suitable to your circumstances.
- Ensure light-duty restrictions are followed when workers return. Sometimes circumstances, co-workers, and even the injured worker themself, are pushing the worker beyond their medical restrictions. It is in the long-term best interest
of all parties for workers to keep within their restrictions while they heal and receive treatment. The supervisor should pay attention to ensure the worker is not feeling pressured to exceed these restrictions. If it is a repeated issue, it is
important to have a discussion with the worker, and potentially modify their work duties.
If you have questions or need help with your post-injury process for returning workers to work, contact your claims coordinator or anybody on the Retro team.