Set clear expectations.

Management/Supervisory Responsibilities:

Ongoing

• Maximize safety and reduce employee injuries.
• Identify high-risk jobs likely to have time-loss injuries.
• Develop job tasks to meet anticipated job task restrictions.
• Develop job descriptions.
• Be aware of possibilities for modifications or alternative job tasks.
• Ensure employee understanding of the county's RTW program.
• Endorse and actively support the RTW program.

Injury Reporting

• Ensure employees immediately report all work-related illnesses/ injuries to immediate supervisors or Risk Management.
• Promptly report all employee work-related illness/injuries, no matter how slight, to the appropriate people.
• Complete the first report of injury form and send promptly to Risk Management’s claims department.
• Report all “near misses” with regard to possible work-related illnesses/injuries for hazard reduction.

Communications

• Stay in frequent communication with injured employees.
• Encourage fellow employees to communicate with injured employees.
• Keep informed about the employee’s progress.  Call the employee after each medical provider visit.
• Reassure the employee that the team needs him/her.
• Make returning employees feel welcome and valued.
• Explain new or modified job duties clearly and emphasize the importance of the temporary or light duty work.
• Explain any new safety procedures or old ones involved in the temporary, light duty or alternative work assignment.
• Ensure injured employees in RTW positions adhere to physician-directed work assignments.