Recovery at work - It's just good business
This fact sheet outlines why supporting workers to recover at work following a work-related injury is good for business.
Download a PDF of this information.
Did you know?
- The longer a worker is away from work, the less likely they are to ever return.
- An unnecessary delay in returning to work is often associated with delayed recovery.
- Staying active after injury reduces pain symptoms and helps workers return to their usual activities at work and home sooner.
Under NSW workers compensation legislation, employers have an obligation to support their worker to recover at and/or return to work.
The benefits to your business
Helping your worker to recover at work may reduce the financial impact on your business and enables you to:
- maintain the skills and knowledge of an experienced worker
- reduce the cost of training a replacement worker
- demonstrate to all workers that they are valued employees
- maintain good employer-employee relationships
- reduce the length of time your workers are away from work
- avoid the cost of hiring new staff
- comply with your legislative obligations.
How we can help
The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) has a number of support programs to help your worker recover at work without putting your business under financial strain. These programs include:
- Recover at Work Assist for Small Business
- Equipment and Workplace Modification
- Work Trials
- Training.
The cost of these programs are funded by SIRA. They are not a claims cost and do not affect premiums.
Read on for a quick guide to these programs.
| Recover at Work Assist for Small Business | This program helps small employers overcome financial hardship when providing suitable work to help their worker recover at work. An assistance payment of $400 per week for up to six weeks is available to offset the costs of making alternative arrangements to cover the usual duties of your worker while they participate in a recover at work plan and build capacity to return to their pre-injury duties and hours. A workplace rehabilitation provider will help identify suitable work and develop a recover at work plan for your worker. Who is eligible? You can apply for this program if you:
|
|---|---|
| Equipment and Workplace Modification | This program provides funding for workplace equipment or modifications to help your worker stay at work with their pre-injury employer or start work with a new employer. Workers receiving or entitled to receive weekly payments under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (1987 Act), and have not accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement. |
| Work Trial | This program provides work-based opportunities for your worker to upgrade their capacity, develop skills, and/or gain on the job experience with a host employer where you are unable to provide suitable work. Workers with capacity for work, who are receiving or entitled to receive weekly payments, and have not accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement. |
| Training | Training can help your worker develop new skills and qualifications to change roles within your organisation or to get a new job. It may involve formal study with TAFE, university or a registered training organisation. Workers receiving/entitled to receive weekly payments under the 1987 Act. |
For more information go to https://www.sira.nsw.gov.au/theres-been-an-injury/im-a-worker-recovering-at-work, or talk to your insurer case manager or workplace rehabilitation provider. You can also call us on 13 10 50.