Recovery at work insider - Key areas for improvement with RTW programs

25 March 2025

Welcome to Recovery at work insider. This monthly email is designed for employers, workplace rehabilitation providers and other stakeholders who support recovery through work. You can view previous editions on the SIRA website.

This month we are looking at the most common areas for improvement identified by SIRA inspectors with Return to work (RTW) programs.

What are inspectors seeing with RTW programs?

There are a few common issues inspectors have identified in relation to RTW programs. Areas for improvement include:

1. The RTW program needs to be in writing and in line with the Guidelines for workplace return to work programs.
2. Employers that have become a Category 1 employer need to develop a customised RTW program. (A Category 1 employer is an employer with a basic tariff premium over $50,000 a year, or who is self-insured or insured by a specialised insurer and has over 20 employees.)
3. The RTW program needs to be consulted on with workers and unions.
4. Implementation of the RTW program:

• Training staff on the RTW program to help workers understand their rights and obligations and how they will be supported if they have a workplace injury.
• RTW program needs to be easy to access. Consider the demographics of your workforce and provide access to a digital or hard copy where required.
• Ensuring workplace practices are aligned with the procedures detailed in the RTW program.

Why are RTW programs important?

The RTW program clarifies how workers will be supported by the organisation following a work-related injury or illness.

A well written RTW program helps set the foundation of an organisational culture that supports recovery at work. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of the support team, which promotes transparency and sets expectations. This in turn builds trust in the workplace and leads to enhanced RTW outcomes.

Consultation promotes a positive culture around recovery at work and gives everyone an opportunity to contribute to policies and procedures.

From the evidence

Good return to work systems produce better return to work outcomes. RTW is easier when people know what to expect, understand the process and their roles and responsibilities, and there is a coordinated approach^1,2.

The workplace RTW program gives employers the chance to reinforce a positive workplace culture by:

• promoting the health benefits of work
• consulting and engaging with their workers and
• showing a strong commitment to supporting workers at the first sign of injury³.

• the required content in your RTW program
• properly discussed and implemented your RTW program
• properly displayed or notified your RTW program to your workers.

Ensure you actively consult on your RTW program with all workers. You could consult on your RTW program:

• during development and training sessions
• during team meetings or other regular catchups
• among health and safety committees or representatives (larger organisations)
• with relevant unions.

Use your RTW program to inform workers of their rights, obligations and the procedures for recovery at work. You need to accommodate the needs of all workers, including those whose first language isn’t English and workers with a disability.

You can implement your RTW program by:

• displaying the program on the intranet and in your break room
• holding information sessions
• holding induction, development and training programs
• arranging team meetings.

You must continually monitor your RTW program and review the program at least every 2 years, in consultation with your workforce, to ensure it is effective.

Resources and tools

Next edition

Our April edition will look at the ‘If you get injured at work poster’.

References

1. Return to Work Matters. Workplace Systems to Improve RTW: A practical guide to implementing effective workplace systems. Return to Work Matters
2. 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
3. Safe Work Australia. National RTW Strategy 2020-2030, and SIRA. 2020. Guidelines for workplace RTW programs. www.sira.nsw.gov.au
4. Superfriend. Building Thriving Workplaces Guidelines and Actions. Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and unlocking organisational performance.