Recovery at work insider Issue 12
Identifying risk factors for delayed recovery improves outcomes
Why is this important?
There are many risk factors that affect a worker’s recovery and return to work (RTW). It is important to identify workers at risk of delayed recovery to ensure that they get the right support at the right time to improve recovery outcomes.
Employers need to understand the workplace risk factors and how they affect a worker’s recovery and RTW, as this can help prevent long periods off work, and identify support needed for recovery at work.
From the evidence
Evidence shows there are a range of factors across four domains (personal, workplace, insurance / compensation, and healthcare) that have an impact on RTW. Many of these risks can be changed and addressed early to positively improve recovery outcomes.
In the workplace, modifiable factors include:
- organisational culture and RTW systems
- workplace response to injury
- RTW planning
- provision of suitable work1
It is important to ensure identified risks are monitored and reviewed regularly to support workers needs as they change.
What you can do
1. Assess whether your workplace culture and RTW systems support recovery at work and make any neccessary changes.
2. If you have a worker with an injury:
- ensure you notify your insurer early so your worker gets the support they need
- keep in contact with your worker to check how they are
- talk with them about risk factors that may influence their recovery and RTW
- tailor support to address factors identified
- talk to your insurer about support your worker may need in the other domains
- discuss with your insurer if workplace rehabilitation support is needed
- document the relevant actions in the Recovery at work plan
- actively review progress with your worker and update the plan.
Resources and tools
- Superfriend Thriving workplaces
- SIRA: Factors influencing return to work outcomes – Summary of evidence PDF, 594.24 KB
- Identifying personal and environmental risk factors with FACTORWEB
Next edition
Our March edition will focus on providing suitable work to improve recovery outcomes.
Get in touch
Visit www.sira.nsw.gov.au
Call 13 10 50
Email [email protected]
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Previous editions
Missed an issue? Read our most recent issues below:
- Issue 11: Recovery through work, 2021 a year in review
- Issue 10: Support your workers to recover at work through a coordinated approach between stakeholders
- 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
1 Collie, A., Lane, T., Di Donato, M. and Iles, R. August 2018. Barriers and enablers to RTW: literature review. Insurance Work and Health Group, Monash University: Melbourne, Australia