Step 2 Develop a Return-to-Work Policy Statement

Develop a Return-to-Work Policy Statement

The Return-to-Work policy statement is a joint labor/management directive offering an introduction to the workforce of your company’s Return-to-Work program. Your company’s policy statement will be a point of reference throughout the entire development and maintenance of your Return-to-Work program as it sets the general scope and guideline for your program.

As the first tool that will be used to inform the workforce of your company’s new Return-to-Work policy, a great deal of care should go into its development. Critical to the success of this approach with your workforce are the suggestions and guidance of a perse Return-to-Work committee. Use your initial committee meetings as a forum opportunity to discuss ideas, concerns, and all the pertinent aspects of your program that need to be addressed in your policy statement. 

Develop a Return-to-Work philosophy based on the following principles:

• Involve the work force (management, supervisors, and workers).
  
  
• Establish a joint employee/management committee.
  
  
• Always treat an injured or ill worker with dignity, consideration, and respect.
  
  
• Make a commitment to support the injured worker's medical treatment.
  
  
• Focus on a person's capabilities, not their disabilities.
  
  
• Make a commitment to endeavor to return injured workers to their original jobs as effectively as possible.
  
  
• Mandatory participation by both labor and management.

Please refer to the appendixes listed below containing samples to help guide your committee in the creation of your company’s Return-to-Work policy.

See:

Appendix K: Sample Philosophy of a Return-to-Work Program (PDF)

Appendix L : Key Decision Points in Transitional Employment (PDF)

Appendix M: Return-to-Work Policy Statement Example (PDF)

Appendix N: Return-to-Work Policy Statement Example (PDF)

Appendix O: Return-to-Work Policy Statement Example (PDF)