Residents of Sioux Falls and other nearby areas of South Dakota may want to learn more about restrictions for going back to work after an injury. These restrictions may dictate what a worker can and cannot do after a workers’ compensation claim and receiving benefits. You may want to return to work after an injury; learning about work restrictions is important.
According to The Hartford, this is part of the return-to-work (RTW) policy that may be important to a business as well as the employee who is receiving the benefits. The policy design is for helping injured or sick employees get back to work and gain a quicker recovery. You, as well as your employer, benefit from these restrictions.
Company must provide policies for RTW
A company must provide a strategy when it comes to work restrictions. The following must receive consideration:
- Transitional job positions
- Eligibility
- Entrance and exit criteria
Formation of a return-to-work team
Your company forms a team that may include an employee representative, supervisor, manager, HR staff, occupational health staff, union representative, occupational safety staff and insurance representatives. The team may also include representatives from health care vendors.
Current jobs receive review
The team may review the jobs that are currently available within the company and which ones are suitable for transitional work. The team may ask employees as to which roles are best for jobs that are transitional. Input from employees as well as health care providers may be an essential step in determining the jobs that an employee on workers’ compensation may do.
Accommodations may be appropriate
You may have certain accommodations to the work area if you are an injured employee returning to work after a workers’ compensation claim. These include the follow, as determined by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act):
- Modified work area
- Restructured job tasks
- Short-term retraining for temporary job duties
- Adaptive equipment that make work more comfortable or easier
- Modified work schedule or location flexibility
Primarily, the cause of the accident receives investigation. Then, restrictions-to-work have determination by a team that includes other employees, health care providers, managers, occupational health workers, Human Resources representatives and others. They may suggest appropriate accommodations, which can help you get back to work quicker and with more comfort and ease after an injury.