Everyone Wins with Return-to-Work

Transcription

1 Everyone Wins with Return-to-Work

2 Today s Webinar Team Moderator: Stacy Rose, CSP Stacy is a certified professional with 16 years experience in workplace safety. Stacy holds a bachelor s in industrial engineering and a master s in safety engineering with a specialty in ergonomics. Stacy spent four years in the field as a Texas Mutual safety services consultant. Today, she supervises our new safety services support center. Presenter: David Wylie David spent 13 years telling Texas Mutual s story as part of the company s corporate communications team. Last summer, he accepted a newly created technical writer position in the safety services department. David holds a bachelor s of communication in journalism from Southwest Texas State University and the OSHA 30-hour general industry certification Presenter: Andrea Shepard Andrea is senior manager of claim operations support at Texas Mutual. She has 23 years of workers comp experience, including 17 years in management. Andrea works closely with our safety services team to identify return-to-work opportunities for injured employees. She also manages a group of claim professionals who are responsible for training our adjusters to achieve quality outcomes for injured workers.

3 Ronnie s Story

4 Agenda Why return-to-work (RTW)? Steps in the RTW process Free RTW tools Key takeaways

5 Why Return-to-Work?

6 Return-to-Work Works for Employees Maintain financial stability Promote emotional health Avoid the disability mindset Heal sooner

7 Return-to-Work Works for Employers Maintain production by keeping experienced workers on the job Avoid paying overtime, finding temporary help or hiring someone new Control workers compensation costs

8 Recipe for Return-to-Work Success Put it in writing. Assess job tasks. Identify modified duties. Put Communicate. it in writing Make a bona fide offer.

9 1. Put it in Writing Confirm your commitment to RTW Communicate the program Outline the process Define responsibilities

10 2. Assess Job Tasks Compile a list of job tasks Break tasks into steps Identify physical demands

11 Identify Physical Demands Postures Lifting/carrying Actions/motions Equipment Environmental conditions

12 Sample Task Analysis: Making Fries 1. Take ticket from overhead board. 2. Get fries from freezer.

13 Sample Task Analysis: Making Fries 3. Dump fries in basket. 4. Submerge in fryer.

14 Sample Task Analysis: Making Fries 5. Push start. 6. Pull basket from fryer.

15 Sample Task Analysis: Making Fries 7. Package fries. 8. Put fries on tray.

16 Physical Demands Postures: Standing, walking on greasy floors 8 hours/day Actions/motions: Reaching/bending Lifting/carrying: Lift 20-pound bag, carry 10 feet Equipment: Fryer Environment: Cold/heat

17 3. Identify modified duties Focus on productive work, not busy work Consult your employees Comply with doctor s restrictions

18 4. Communicate: Injured Worker Send company newsletters Invite to company events Pick up the phone

19 4. Communicate: Doctor Tell them you have an RTW program Explain injured worker s duties DWC Form-74, Description of Injured Employee s Employment Understand worker s restrictions DWC Form-73, Work Status Report

20 4. Communicate: Adjuster Tell us you have an RTW program Provide worker s job description Provide worker s typical wages Notify us of termination

21 5. Make a Bona Fide Offer Put it in writing Comply with DWC Rule Include copy of work status report Specify job location, schedule, wages, physical/time requirements, your commitment to comply with work restrictions

22 Bona Fide Offer Tips Include required information Make the job geographically accessible Pick up the phone Make the offer before the eighth day of missed work if possible

23 Free RTW Resources

24 Texas Mutual Loss Runs 1 2

25 Texas Mutual Downloads 1 2

26 Click here for claim management videos.

27 Learn About the Claims Process

28 DWC Tools

29 Key Takeaways

30 Return-to-Work is a Win-Win The employee heals sooner The employer minimizes costs

31 RTW programs include five steps 1. Put the program writing. 2. Assess job tasks. 3. Identify modified duty. 4. Communicate with stakeholders. 5. Make a bona fide offer.

32 You Have Access to Free Resources Texasmutual.com: Loss run/claim details RTW video Downloadable materials

33 You Have Access to Free Resources Tdi.Texas.gov: Injured worker RTW checklist State RTW regulations RTW reimbursement program

34 I m not the type of person who s going to sit home feeling sorry for myself. I was going to be doing something. My company asked me to come back to work, and they found a position for me. It felt good to go back and be with the guys. Ronnie

35 Questions