Recovery at work insider - Issue 10
Support your workers to recover at work through a coordinated approach between stakeholders
Why is this important?
Consistent messaging and a coordinated approach between all stakeholders is necessary to:
- align expectations and priorities for recovery at work
- ensure the right support at the right time
- prevent unnecessary delays and optimise outcomes.
From the evidence
Improved outcomes are achieved when stakeholders engage in a coordinated and collaborative approach to return to work (RTW), where the worker’s social and economic wellbeing is the primary outcome.1,2
What you can do
- Promote the health benefits of good work and recovery at work in your workplace
- Set expectations that workers will be supported to recover at work
- Equip and support your worker to obtain and share information from their medical and treatment providers to facilitate their recovery and RTW
- Provide information about your worker’s usual duties, available suitable work and other supports
- Be available to collaborate in the recovery process
- Ask your insurer how they will communicate and work with you, your worker and the support team to ensure a coordinated approach focused on your worker’s goals.
Resources and tools
- SIRA’s free RTW eLearning modules - Working with the support team
- SIRA Guidance note 3.7 – Case conferencing
- When a worker is injured: A workers compensation guide for employers
Principles 3.1 and 3.2 - Principles on the role of the GP in supporting work participation
Next edition
Our December issue will provide an overview of this year's editions of the Recovery at work insider and a preview of future topics to be explored in 2022.
Get in touch
- Call 13 10 50
- Email [email protected]
Subscribe
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Previous editions
Missed an issue? Read our most recent issues below:
- Issue 9: Equipping workers to take an active role in their recovery achieves better outcomes
- Issue 8: Early, supportive contact improves recovery at work outcomes
- Issue 7: Support workers to report an injury early
- Issue 6: Ensure leaders are engaged and committed to a positive recovery culture
- Issue 5: Leaders are committed to building RTW capability
- Issue 4: Design and implement effective return to work systems
- Issue 3: Promote the health benefits of good work and recovery at work
- Issue 2: Positive workplace culture improves recovery at work outcomes
- Issue 1: Successful recovery at work strategies
References
- Cullen K.L., Irvin E., Collie A., et al. Feb 2017. Effectiveness of workplace interventions in RTW for musculoskeletal, pain-related and mental health conditions: an update of the evidence and messages for practitioners. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.
- Safe Work Australia, 2019. National return to work strategy 2020-2030.