Return to Work Policy

Transcription

1 Return to Work Policy It is the policy of the Raleigh County Board of Education to provide our workers injured on the job with the best possible recovery program so that they can return to work with minimal emotional and financial disruption in their lives. The Board endorses a Return to Work (RTW) program that provides a unified effort to return injured workers to their regular assignments as soon as possible. The goal of this policy is to increase productivity and our employee s sense of security, while reducing premium costs and temporary disability payments. The employee s health and safety shall be a priority in the implementation of a return to work plan. The RTW program is limited to employees who have been injured on the job and who are undergoing active medical and rehabilitative treatment. Modified duty will continue until the employee is determined to have reached Maximum Medical Improvement as it relates to the work related injury or released to his/her regular job duties by the treating physician, whichever occurs first. An employee returning to work from a non-worked related, non-compensable injury/surgery/illness must be able to perform all essential job functions. Documentation from their treating physician must be provided to the Personnel Department prior to their return to their work location. (Reference Raleigh County Policy C.1.19, Personal Leaves and Absences Without Pay and Raleigh County Policy C.1.20, Personal Leaves for Illness and Other Causes) An employee participating in the Board s RTW program may be placed in a temporary transitional work assignment. A temporary transitional work assignment may be in another building, and hours scheduled may be modified to meet the needs of the temporary assignment. Reasonable accommodations include modifications to the work environment or to the manner in which the job is performed. Possible types of accommodations may include, but not limited to, making facilities more accessible, modifying the job, modifying work schedules, altering equipment, or participating in job-related training as determined the employee s supervisor and Safety Director. An employee s participation in the program will not exceed a period of three months. Employees with permanent or indefinite work restrictions will be evaluated to determine if they can perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of their regular position. Alternative and modified job assignments will be structured to meet the physical capabilities and therapy needs of the injured worker where feasible. An Alternative Duty Job Bank Worksheet (Appendix A) completed by directors and department supervisors will be utilized to ensure that an employee recovering from an injury can perform the essential functions of their job based on restrictions set by the treating physician. Participants involved in the RTW program are identified below, along with their respective responsibilities. Success of the Board s RTW program depends on all employees, including administrators, teachers, other professionals, and service personnel understanding and adhering to the roles and responsibilities outlined in this policy. Responsibilities Employer A. Establish clear, consistent return to work policies and procedures. B. Provide all employees with orientation/training on return to work policies and procedures. C. Ensure that return to work policies and procedures are followed. D. Report all workers compensation claims in a timely manner. E. Inform medical providers of the Board s RTW program. F. Follow up with medical providers and employees regarding prescribed therapy and recovery process. G. Utilize Alternative Duty Job Bank Worksheets when necessary to structure alternative and modified job assignments. 1

2 Immediate Supervisor A. Understand and adhere to return to work policies and procedures. B. Ensure that employees receive a thorough RTW program orientation and that they understand return to work policies and procedures. C. Report and file accident/injury reports in accordance with Raleigh County Policy B.4.6 Accident Reporting. D. Forward medical status and medical documentation for injured employee to the Office of Safety & Loss Control when received. Injured Employee A. Report all injuries, no matter how slight, to your immediate supervisor in accordance with Raleigh County Policy B.4.6 Accident Reporting. B. Inform your medical provider of the Board s Return to Work program. C. Return to work following medical treatment and report to your immediate supervisor. If it s not medically possible to return to work, report to your supervisor immediately following your medical evaluation. Report your medical status and provide documentation to your supervisor within 24 hours following any related medical evaluations. D. Report to work in your job assignment with accommodation if necessary. Understand that refusal of an offer of return to work with accommodation will jeopardize your workers compensation and other benefits. E. Follow your medical provider s recommendation with respect to established work restrictions, limitations, therapies, and physical capacities on and off the job. F. Return to your normal work assignment as soon as your medical provider deems it is safe. Supervisor Training and Responsibilities It is essential that Board s school administrators and supervisors understand and follow through with practice and enforcement of the Return to Work policies and procedures. They must understand and fulfill their roles and responsibilities in implementation and maintenance of the program. They must have in-depth knowledge of RTW in order to accurately and thoroughly communicate the policies and procedures to employees. A. The key elements of administration/supervisor RTW orientation/training 1. What is Return to Work? 2. Why do we do it? 3. B.4.8 Return to Work Policy 4. Administration/supervisor responsibilities 5. Illness/injury reporting process (B.4.6 Accident Reporting Policy) 6. Employee responsibilities Employee Training and Responsibilities Training employees in the policies and procedures of the Return to Work program establishes the expectations and responsibilities for a successful program. Through training employees may understand that tasks/jobs modified under RTW are provided to assist workers recovery process and speed the workers return to their regular employment. A. The key elements of employee RTW orientation/training 1. What is Return to Work? 2. Why do we do it? 3. B.4.8 Return to Work Policy 4. Illness/injury reporting responsibilities (B.4.6 Accident Reporting Policy) 5. Employee responsibilities 2

3 Enforcement An employee, who violates any provision of Raleigh County Policy B.4.8 Return to Work, or any regulations or procedures related thereto, shall be subject to the following incremental disciplinary steps: A. Documented conference with immediate supervisor B. Formal written reprimand from immediate supervisor C. Five-day suspension without pay by the Superintendent and approval of the Raleigh County Board of Education D. Dismissal Approved: September 13, 2011 Revised: April 17,

4 Appendix A 4

5 Raleigh County Schools Alternative Duty Job Bank Worksheet Department: Contact Person: Brief Job Description: Position: Shift: Physical Requirements of the Job (Check all that apply and give % or hours to right) Sit - % or hours Climb - % or hours Stand - % or hours Balance - % or hours Walk - % or hours Push/pull - % or hours Crawl - % or hours Reach below shoulder level - % or hours Squat - % or hours Reach above shoulder level - % or hours Pinching - % or hours Bend/stoop - % or hours Other - % or hours Crouch/kneel - % or hours Describe Other: Does this job require lifting or carrying weight? Yes No If yes, how many lbs. and how frequently? lbs. /hr., shift, day Does this job require repetitive wrist motion? Yes No Please indicate: Right Left Both Does this job require repetitive hand motion? Yes No Please indicate: Right Left Both Please check those that apply: Simple/light grasping Firm/strong grasping Fine/dexterity Light pinching Strong pinching Does this job require use of personal protective equipment? Yes No Please indicate: i.e. gloves, eye protection, etc. Does this job require specialized skills? Please check all that apply. Yes No Read English Telephone File Write English Computer skills Copier Speak English Data base Driving Other language (list) Word processing Type Fax Machine Leadership Please provide any additional information that may be helpful: Completed by: Date: 5

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