RTW and Off-site Employees -- we have a solution!

One of the greatest challenges of returning injured workers who reside a considerable distance from the office is just that...the distance.  Employers often express their inability to offer any type of modified duty in their office because their employees live 50+ miles away and it wouldn't make sense to bring them into the office.

Here are some options to overcoming these challenges:

·    If the injured worker typically drives to the office location for his/her regular work day, then it isn't unreasonable to ask them to report to modified duty at the office.  Instead of asking them to work 4 hours per day, have them work two, 8 hour modified duty shifts.  The benefits are still there -- the injured worker maintains a connection to the work habit, they are able to engage in the social interaction that work provides, and it may help keep them focused on their recovery. 

·    Consider a transitional duty! For more details, check out our post on using NFPs as a RTW option.  Our partners can place an injured worker in their local community, as close to their home as possible.  This could be an excellent option for travelling nurses, home health aides, sales people, truck drivers, and any other employee who lives a considerable distance from the office where modified duty isn't feasible.  This may also be an excellent choice for injured workers who are given driving restrictions but are encouraged to gradually increase their driving time and distance.

·    Are there any aspects of their job (or other jobs within your organization) that can be done remotely?  Is it a simple matter of getting them access to work from home?  Many companies who employee telecommuters have software that can monitor productivity.  Another option would be to complete customer satisfaction calls, schedule appointments, place inventory orders, create hazardous material sheets (most often-cited OSHA violation), create safety training materials, etc. Read the BLS report on telecommuting here!

While these suggestions may not resolve all of your RTW challenges, we hope that they are options that you may have not considered previously.  As always, we're here to listen to your RTW challenges, and provide a solution that is right for your unique situation.