Return to Work Easy Reference Guide Page 1 of 6
Table of Contents Return to Work What Are Your Responsibilities? 3 Your responsibilities as a Senior Manager: 3 Your responsibilities as a Supervisor / Depot Manager: 3 Your responsibilities as an Injured Employee: 3 Your responsibilities as a National Workers Compensation Claims Manager: 4 Your responsibilities as an Approved Rehabilitation Provider: 5 Your responsibilities as a Medical Practitioner: 5 Contact Details: 5 Steps in the return to work process 6 Page 2 of 6
The Return to Work Easy Reference Guide outlines the steps in the return to work process and the role we all play in working together to achieve a successful return to work. Return to Work What Are Your Responsibilities? Your responsibilities as a Senior Manager Show your commitment to effectively implementing the Fleetmaster Services Pty Ltd ( Fleetmaster ) OH&S and Claims and Rehabilitation Management policies and procedures; Develop a workplace culture that prevents injury and supports injured employees; Ensure your Return to Work Co-ordinator ( RTWC ) receives organisational support to fulfil their role and succeed with early intervention; Keep informed of the Fleetmaster return to work performance, access performance reports that will track its claim costs/return to work outcomes and pinpoint problems; and Review and improve the effectiveness of the Fleetmaster return to work strategies. Your responsibilities as a Supervisor / Depot Manager Foster a supportive workplace that encourages safe work practices and early reporting of injuries; Advise the RTWC as soon as you become aware of an injury; Ensure steps are taken to prevent further injury by understanding the cause of injury and putting in place safeguards; Keep in close contact with the injured employee be supportive and identify the assistance available to enable a return to work the RTWC will co-ordinate this process; Work with the RTWC to identify suitable duties and provide ongoing support; Consider changing the way work is done or modifying the work environment; Be involved and contribute to the development of the Return to Work Program ( RTW Program ) for the injured employee and promptly let the RTWC know if you, the injured employee or co-workers have any concerns along the way; and After the injured employee has returned to work, work with them to ensure this outcome is sustained. Your responsibilities as an Injured Employee Notify your Manager/Supervisor immediately in the event you suffered an injury; Find out about the Fleetmaster Rehabilitation Policy; Ensure you let your Manager/Supervisor or RTWC know if you are going to be away from work for an extended period due to a work related injury; You may need to undergo an assessment for rehabilitation; Talk to your RTWC about your obligations and rights regarding rehabilitation; Actively participate in the RTW Program; and Page 3 of 6
Talk to your RTWC or rehabilitation provider if you have any concerns about your Return to Work Plan ( RTW Plan ). Your responsibilities as a National Workers Compensation Claims Manager Let employee s know your role and how to contact you; Initiate, co-ordinate and monitor the rehabilitation process in consultation with all parties; Make accurate and timely decisions on compensation claims; Effectively manage the injured employee s claim, including making benefit payments and liaising with the employee, Manager/Supervisor, medical practitioners and the RTWC; Decide if an assessment for an RTW Program is required, particularly when an employee is likely to be away from work for more than 10 days (s36 of SRC Act 1988); Organise a RTW Program if necessary you may need to authorise the RTWC to contact an externally Approved Rehabilitation Provider ( ARP ) to develop the RTW Plan (s37 of the SRC Act 1988); Put any decisions you make about a rehabilitation assessment or RTW Plan in writing to the employee; Work with the Manager/Supervisor, RTWC and ARP to make sure the injured employee is given suitable employment (s40 of the SRC Act 1988); and Make sure Fleetmaster procedures and actions comply with the rehabilitation guidelines issued by Comcare (s41 of the SRC Act 1988). Your responsibilities as a Return to Work Co-ordinator Report all injuries to NWCCM within 24 hours; Ensure all activities are managed in accordance with legislation and conditions of Licence; Immediately contact the injured employee and Manager/Supervisor once advised of injury; Where possible, accompany the injured employee to the nominated treating doctor on the day of the injury or at least communicate with the nominated treating doctor by telephone/facsimile prior to the employee s first visit. If unable to attend, arrange for a representative from Fleetmaster to attend the appointment and provide them with all the necessary documentation; Establish a Rehabilitation Case File and enter accurate and objective case notes with each entry signed and dated; Advice injured employee of their rights and responsibilities in complying with the Fleetmaster RTW Program and provide them with a copy of the RTW Easy Reference Guide; Maintain confidentiality at all times; Meet/contact, as required, but at least weekly with the Manager/Supervisor to discuss the progress of case files; Develop a RTW Plan and monitor, in consultation with the NWCCM, health professionals, injured employee, Manager/Supervisor and other relevant stakeholders; Page 4 of 6
Where necessary and in consultation with NWCCM, engage and monitor services of ARP; and Provide the NWCCM with copies of all documentation relating to the injury. Your responsibilities as an Approved Rehabilitation Provider Provide expert, objective advice to the RTWC to assist the timely, safe and durable return to work of an injured employee; Provide a prompt response to referrals and other requests; Engage the injured employee, treating doctor, Manager/Supervisor and RTWC in the development and implementation of a tailored RTW Plan; Actively monitor the RTW Plan and communicate regularly with all parties to ensure the goals are achieved; and Ensure you comply with Comcare s criteria and standards for ARPs. Your responsibilities as a Medical Practitioner: Not only treat an injured employee but also be relied upon to provide accurate medical assessments of their capability to return to work; Provide advice on alternative duties or modifications to the workplace; Make sure the NWCCM and RTWC or ARP are informed of the injured employees abilities in order that tailored duties can be organised within the injured employees capacity; Monitor and support the progress of the return to work effort; and Be available and accessible for case conferences or workplace visits. Contact Details: Call Jan Riley on (02) 6588 5007 or 0402 014 910 For information and advice on claims. For specialist advice from the NWCCM. To discuss prevention and injury management strategies. Page 5 of 6
Steps in the Return to Work Process STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7 The Manager/Supervisor becomes aware of an injury and discusses this with the employee. Ensure steps are taken to prevent further injury. The Manager/Supervisor notifies the RTWC and NWCCM as early as possible that an employee is injured or ill. The NWCCM, in conjunction with the RTWC determines whether an assessment for a RTW Program is required. The RTWC initiates the assessment process: Refer to an ARP/medical practitioner for assessment. Facilitate the completion of a pre-injury work description. If appropriate complete potential suitable duties form. Discuss with the doctor what work the injured employee is capable of doing. Co-ordinate the RTW process and communicate regularly with all parties. On completion of the assessment the RTWC decides whether a RTW Plan is needed. The RTW Plan is formulated in consultation with all parties. Ensure all parties: Understand what is involved in the RTW Plan. Are clear about their respective roles and responsibilities in achieving the RTW Plan. The RTWC, Manager/Supervisor, ARP and doctor monitor and review implementation of the RTW Plan. The Manager/Supervisor and RTWC provide feedback as necessary. If amendments to the RTW Plan are required ensure that a RTW Plan Amendment is completed and signed. When the employee has returned to work the ARP and/or RTWC initiate the RTW Plan Closure Form. The ARP and/or RTWC agree to close the RTW Plan and all parties sign. The RTWC ensures that copies of all forms are distributed to all parties. The Return to Work Easy Reference Guide outlines the steps in the return to work process and the role we all play in working together to achieve a successful return to work. Page 6 of 6