Return to work plan

If the worker is incapacitated for more than 14 days, a return-to-work plan must be prepared. This plan should be completed within five days of the 14 day limit being reached.

The plan should be designed in full consultation with the injured worker , the treating medical practitioner and rehabilitation provider. The plan should be realistic and achievable, ensuring that the injured worker returns to work in a safe and timely manner.

The basic objective is to ensure that everything possible is done to enable the injured worker to return to the workforce as soon as possible and to minimise the physical, psychological, social, vocational and economic consequences of work related injuries.

Ideally, the plan should be signed by the employer and the worker.

The worker, the treating doctor and the insurer should each receive a copy of the plan. The plan may include alternative duties and details of graduated return to work.

The return-to-work plan must include:

• the name of the injured worker
  the date on which the worker is expected to return to work
• an offer of suitable alternative duties
• the steps to be taken to facilitate the worker’s return to work
• evidence of reasonable attempts to consult with the worker’s treating general practitioner.

A sample return-to-work plan is available here.