How long can you be on a phased return to work?
Typically, phased returns may last for around four weeks, although in some cases they can continue for longer, depending on the conclusions of the medical report. If you believe your phased return will need to be for a longer duration than your employer will allow, speak to your GP and/or your employer’s OHP.
What does a phased return to work look like?
A phased return to work is an arrangement whereby a member of staff who has been absent from work for a long time or has had a short term absence linked to chronic conditions or conditions with unpredictable periods of acute flare up, returns to their full duties/time at work gradually, over a defined time period.
Who decides phased return to work?
The employer or their HR manager and the employee should agree on a plan for how long this will be for. For example, they could agree to review how things are going after a month and then decide to increase the working hours or duties, or they might decide they need to stay reduced for longer.
Can I dismiss a long term sick employee?
Can I dismiss an employee on long term sick? Yes, you can dismiss an employee on long term sick, but only after following a reasonable process. If your employee has a condition that counts as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, you are required to explore reasonable adjustments to enable them to return to work.
What benefits can I claim if I am unfit to work?
In this section
- Check what benefits to claim if you’re sick or disabled.
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Personal Independence Payment.
- Disability Living Allowance for children.
- Attendance Allowance.
- Carer’s Allowance.
- If you’re an adult on Disability Living Allowance.
Why is it in an employer’s best interest to get injured workers back to work as soon as possible?
Employers benefit by bringing injured employees back to work as soon as they’re medically able because it: Reduces the likelihood of litigation. Helps control workers’ compensation claim costs, which affect future premium.
What does it mean to phased return to work?
A phased return to work is where an employee who has been off work, usually for a long period of time, gradually returns to work over a number of weeks. Alternatively, the employee may be phased back into their duties, only undertaking a customer facing role, for example, once they have been back in the office for a couple of weeks.
How does a return to work policy work?
A return-to-work (RTW) policy can also be beneficial to injured or sick employees. This includes: In order for a RTW policy to work, both you and your employees need to support the program. Work restrictions dictate what an employee can and can’t do on the job because of their injury.
Do you have to set OSP for phased return to work?
If the employee is gradually going to build up their hours over the course of the phased return then you should set out in writing what they will be paid and when. This is particularly important if the OSP rates start to reduce after the employee has been off work for a certain period of time.
What do you need to know about RTW policy?
In order for a RTW policy to work, both you and your employees need to support the program. Work restrictions dictate what an employee can and can’t do on the job because of their injury. An employee’s treating physician may give them work restrictions after receiving workers’ compensation benefits.