Early Return to Work
We know how stressful the situation can be on injured workers and on the productivity of your company. With an Early Return to Work program, you have an action plan for responding to injured employees and getting them back to work as soon as possible.
How It Works
The idea is to provide temporary jobs that take into consideration the employee's physical abilities, skills, and interests. The program helps you lower insurance costs, retain skilled workers, and improve employee relations.
Program Objectives
- Address the physical, emotional, and environmental factors that hinder the employee's ability to return to full-time work
- Focus on the injured employee's abilities rather than disabilities
- Facilitate the transition from temporary job assignments to full-time work
- Decrease the number of lost work days to maintain productivity
- Increase the employee's morale and motivation to return to and remain at work
Ready to start an Early Return to Work program in your business? Smart move. Contact Safeco Risk Control Services.
Additional Program Information
Take a look at the forms and information below to learn more about the program and how to successfully implement one in your business.
- Early Return to Work Program Assessment
- Early Return to Work Written Program
- E&S Technical Bulletin on Early Return to Work
- Designated Medical Provider
- Employee Orientation
- Detailed Job Description
- Accident Investigation
- Employee Injury—What to Do
- Claims Handling
Early Return to Work Program Assessment
Use this assessment to help determine your Early Return to Work Program needs.
Self Assessment Checklist [PDF]
Early Return to Work Written Program
View this document for specific Early Return to Work Program policies and procedures.
ERTW Written Program [DOC]
E&S Technical Bulletin on Early Return to Work
Learn more about Early Return to Work programs from E&S Safety Service, a leading technical information service for risk-management and loss-control professionals.
Technical Bulletin [PDF]
Designated Medical Provider
Find local occupational health and industrial medicine providers. Let them know the specific job duties and physical requirements atyour business, and when possible, give them a tour of your facility.
Employee Orientation
Use this form to help you talk to employees about the responsibilities of the Early Return to Work program.
Employee Orientation Form—English [DOC]
Employee Orientation Form—Spanish [DOC]
Detailed Job Description
Identifying the essential job functions of the injured employee's position allows medical professionals to make recommendations for temporary job modifications.
Use this form to write detailed descriptions for all jobs, identifying any special requirements, lifting, bending, walking, standing, and repetitive motions. This is a great opportunity to analyze where injuries could occur and implement measures to control or limit them.
Detailed Job Description [PDF]
Accident Investigation
Accident investigation is a review of the facts surrounding an accident, for the purposes of finding causes and implementing corrective action. This form can be used to document all information pertaining to an accident.
Accident Investigation Report [PDF]
Employee Injury—What to Do
If one of your employees has been injured on the job, call Safeco Claims as soon as possible at 1-800-332-3226.
Claims Handling
For a complete overview of our claim process, and what to expect from our claims examiners and case management nurses, please visit our claims area.
Questions?
To learn more or start a program in your business, contact Safeco Risk Control Services.
