Recovery at work insider - Issue 8

Early, supportive contact improves recovery at work outcomes

Why is this important?

Early contact with a worker provides an opportunity to express your concern, understand their situation and circumstances, identify any needs and support required.

If contact and connection with a worker is maintained, they are more likely to achieve better recovery outcomes.

From the evidence

Workers have better recovery at work outcomes when their employer contacts them early and provides reassurance and support.¹

For physical claims, 88% of workers who had early contact from the workplace had returned to work compared to 70% of workers who had no contact.²

For psychological claims, 77% of workers who had early contact from the workplace had returned to work compared to 53% who had no contact.³

What you can do

• Consider who is the best person to contact the worker. This will usually be their direct supervisor or manager, or someone with an existing, positive relationship with the worker.
• Ensure the contact person understands their role in contacting and supporting the worker, and how your workplace can address or help with any immediate needs the worker may have.
• Maintain supportive contact with the worker throughout their recovery.

Resources and tools

• SIRA’s free RTW eLearning modules for RTW coordinators and people leaders
• When a worker is injured: A workers compensation guide for employers
• Early contact conversation starter guide and return to work checklist ⁴ 
• Workplace culture and return to work - Life Without Barriers experience video

Next edition

Our next edition will focus on equipping workers to drive their own recovery.

Get in touch

• Call 13 10 50
• Email [email protected]

Subscribe

Subscribe to the Recovery at work e-newsletter.

Previous editions

Missed an issue? Read our most recent issues below:

• 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 Safe Work Australia. National RTW Strategy 2020-2030.

2 Wyatt, M. and Lane, T. 2017. RTW: a comparison of psychological claims and physical injury claims - analysis of the RTW Survey results. Commissioned by Safe Work Australia.

3 ibid.

4 Returning to work after illness or injury, November 2020 , Step 1 factsheet- Away from work: first contact. Source Commonwealth Government of Australia BETA resources