Current Employer Issue: What should we include in our RTW Policy?

WorkplaceOHS frequently receives subscriber feedback on day-to-day OHS issues that they face. This week our experts discuss: what are the main points to be included in a return to work (RTW) policy.

The issue:

In writing a policy about employees returning to work on graduated basis after sick leave, what would be the main points we would need to cover to ensure we are providing a safe workplace for our employees, and not leaving the organisation open to claims for workers compensation for an unrelated work illness (as much as that is possible)?

The answer:

An article on WorkplaceOHS should be able to assist you:

Injury management guidance for employers

This article notes how employers can effectively minimise their liability for pre-existing injuries and illnesses carried by employees. There are three critical steps to take:

1. 'base-line' the relevant health of new employees - this means that there should be systems in place that accurately assess the health of a new employee in terms of the likely risks that the new work will present to the employee
2. have appropriate documentation completed by new employees that inquires into the health of the new or potential employee to the extent that is reasonable in the light of the work to be undertaken
3. make reasonable inquiries of previous employers and insurers as to the health and claims history of new or potential employees

See the full article for details.

Also, NSW WorkCover have released a guideline for employers return to work programs.

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