Early Return to Work Program. In an effort to maintain the Employer’s skilled workforce, the Employer will have an Early Return to Work program to enhance the recovery of employees who are injured or contract an occupational disease in the course and scope of state employment. Employees shall be placed in temporary modified duty assignments, when such work is available and the employee is physically able to perform the work. The Employer may require a fitness for Duty Statement prior to the employee’s return to full duty.
Early Return to Work Program. With the advice of the Actuary and, if the Board considers it appropriate, the Benefits Consultant, the Board shall adopt an early return to work program (the “Early Return to Work Program”) which shall be designed and implemented by the Board. The Board may fund the Early Return to Work Program from the Government LTD Funding.
Early Return to Work Program. In order to provide temporary alternative work to employees who are unable to perform their regular duties due to industrial injury or illness, the District has adapted an early return-to-work program designed to return the injured employee to work in a physically appropriate job as soon as the treating physician deems it medically feasible, and when temporary alternative work in available. Due to the limited amount of temporary alternative work available, employees are assigned on a “first come, first served” basis, to appropriate positions as available. The Business Manager will determine the employee’s eligibility for the program, placement in temporary work, record keeping , and monitoring the progress and full return to work of the employee(s) in the early return-to-work program. The temporary work assignment is not considered to be part of the regular staffing pattern. The employee must have a medical clearance authorization slip from the attending physician specifying work restrictions and abilities. Employees returning to work as part of the program are encouraged to schedule physical therapy and doctor’s appointments around their work schedules. If this cannot be arranged, appointments should be scheduled at the beginning or end of the workday. when possible. All appointments requiring time away from work must have written verification of time in and out of the facility to present to their supervisors. If employee health status changes, it must be reported immediately to their supervisor and management. While on the early return-to-work program, employees will be evaluated at 30 days or when medically stationary, whichever occurs first. As long as work can be provided, there is no right of refusal without jeopardizing benefits and entitlements. A temporary alternative assignment will be made only when the work is available and of benefit to the District. The temporary position, if offered, will end the date the employee receives a release to return to regular duty, and may be ended at any time if there is no longer a need for the temporary alternative work or due to performance concerns. Each case will be assessed individually based on need. Wages and hours will not necessarily be the same as that of the regular job.
Early Return to Work Program. Aleut expects Project Managers to make every effort to provide temporary light duty work for employees who are restricted from their regular work due to a work related injury. This program will help injured workers in their rehabilitation from the injury and control workers’ compensation costs.
