Return To Work Basic Form

Return to Work

Health Promotion, Return to Work, Disability, Sick Leave

Returning to work following an absence can often be the most critical component of your recovery. The Return to Work Program is designed to help you best handle the transition back to work.

This guide outlines steps you may take to help make your return to work smooth and successful. It provides information on actions you may want to consider before returning to work, on your first day back and throughout your return to work period. Participating in the Return to Work Program will not only benefit your health but will also help your supervisor understand how he/she can best support you during this transitional period.

For an information sheet on the Return to Work Program click here

Resources

Key concepts to help you successfully manage your return to work

Work is a key part of your recovery.Gradually incorporating work demands into your recovery may help to improve your chances of staying healthy. Work may benefit your overall health by providing structure and routine, social interaction, physical and mental stimulation and a sense of accomplishment.

Returning to work may require an adjustment period.You may not be able to fully perform the physical and mental demands of your job in the same way as prior to the onset of your condition.  You may require a temporary accommodation to help you gradually reintegrate into the hours and duties required for your job.  We are keen in working with you and your physician to find a suitable accommodation while you are still recovering from your injury or illness.

Stay connected and keep lines of communication open.To help make your return to work successful, it is important that you stay connected with your supervisor. Talk to him/her about how you envision your return to work, your worries or concerns about returning, your motivation, your thoughts about what you can do to prepare and what you will need to assist your transition back to the workplace.

What do I need to do to return to work after an injury or illness?

1. You must provide medical information clearing you to return to work, clearly outlining limitations or restrictions (if any) to your duties and/or hours and the length of time you will require to return to work to full time and duties. The Attending Physicians’ Statement Form (APS) is a useful tool for your physician to provide all the information necessary for your return to work.

2. Contact your supervisor in advance to your return to work date.  This will allow your supervisor to make any arrangements necessary to facilitate your return to work.  This may include scheduling of other staff, procurement of special equipment, etc.

3. Attend regular Return to Work meetings with your supervisor and the Organizational Health Specialist.  The purpose of these meetings is to:

review medical information and the return to work plan and to understand how you will evaluate success and address issues discuss things like workload, job duties and performance to make sure your expectations and your supervisor’s expectations align address problems early so they don’t negatively impact your recovery identify if there are workplace factors causing problems and to proactively address these with your manager and come up with solutions together discuss any extra training or reintegration time/resources that may be required validate that you have an easily accessible list of resources should you run into difficulties or begin to feel overwhelmed try to get back into a regular work routine.