Employers or rehabilitation and return to work coordinators

Employers are highly influential stakeholders in the return to work process. Recovery and return to work outcomes often depend on how employers respond to and support injured workers in the workplace ^[1,2].

As of 1 January 2009, any workplace with 30 or more employees are required to appoint a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator (coordinator). Workplaces with a coordinator are required to establish procedures for the rehabilitation and return to work of their injured workers. The coordinator is supported by the employer to get the right training and support. This allows the coordinator to develop a good understanding of relevant parts of the workers compensation system and to develop their understanding of injury and return to work management and the roles of health providers, line mangers and injured workers.

The key function of a coordinator is to help exchange information between all parties to assist the return to work process. Coordinators have an understanding of the workplace, work practices and job requirements. They have regular access to all areas of the workplace (where appropriate and where business rules permit) and to employees and supervisors with whom it may be necessary to discuss suitable work for injured workers.

The coordinator is assigned the following functions under section 28D of the Act:

• to assist injured workers to remain at or return to work, as soon and as safely as possible after injuries occur
• to assist with liaising with the claims agent (or a self-insured employer) in the preparation and implementation of rehabilitation and return to work plans for the injured workers
• to liaise with persons involved in rehabilitation or providing medical services to the injured workers
• monitoring the progress of the injured workers’ capacity to return to work
• to take steps to prevent the occurrence of secondary injuries when the injured worker returns to work.

For more information, go to: All you need to know about rehabilitation and return to work coordinators.

Note: When the workplace does not have a coordinator there are still obligations that the employer must fulfil including the provision of suitable employment, cooperating with the rehabilitation return to work plan process and carrying out actions listed on the plan. For more information about the obligations of the employer click here.