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WorkSafeBC

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Return-to-work philosophy

The goal of everyone involved in the rehabilitation process is to have workers return to productive employment as soon as possible. There are three return-to-work possibilities:

  1. Same job – same company
    The first priority is to attempt to return workers to their former jobs. This allows them to return to familiar faces, places, and routines as well as retain company benefits, seniority, and union membership. Companies also save on training costs for replacement workers.
  2. Different job – same company
    When it is impossible for workers to return to their former jobs, it may still be possible for them to benefit your company in another position, at an optimal earning level. WorkSafeBC can help identify the best solution and provide the necessary resources and equipment to carry out the plan.
  3. Transitional return-to-work strategies
    There are a number of ways to ease a worker's transition back into a familiar job or a different job with your company. Financial assistance from WorkSafeBC may be available for:
    • Refresher training or skill upgrading – the employee has the basic skills but receives additional upgrading where job functions or procedures have changed while the worker was away from the job.
    • A graduated return to work – the employee works a part-shift or shorter work week and gradually builds up to full time.
    • Work assessment – a work trial to assess the worker's suitability for the former, modified, or different job.
    • Modified worksite or equipment – where appropriate, changes can be made to the job functions themselves to accommodate the injury.
    • Training on the job to provide skills for a new and different job.
    • Formal training for new and different job.

If an employee faces a lengthy period of physical rehabilitation prior to returning to work, you may suggest that they use the time to full advantage by completing skill upgrading, if necessary. This enhances the worker's prospects for alternate work re-entry, develops a positive focus for the future, and may reduce the compensation costs of training after recovery.

Assistance

If you have questions about the return-to-work process or if a worker refuses to return to work, contact the WorkSafeBC case manager or entitlement officer handling the worker's claim.

Follow-up

Once the worker has returned to the workplace, it is essential that their progress be carefully monitored.