Return to Work

This 6 day course is designed for representatives who will assist injured workers through a therapeutic work reintegration (WR).  It provides workplace parties with tools and strategies to ensure successful outcomes. Through the exploration of leading research, participants learn the principles of good WR practices and the Duty to Accommodate. Barriers to successful WR are addressed with a focus on attitudinal barriers and their elimination using the social model of disability and therapeutic return to work (RTW) principles. An in depth comparison, between older methods of disability management and the newer, progressive disability prevention model, is presented and participants learn about the paradigm shift from management to prevention. Roles of the parties involved (employer, injured worker, representative, H&S representatives) are discussed.

WR and the WSIB are presented with respect to the Board policies. The hierarchy of RTW job opportunities and the definitions for an early and safe WR, roles of all the involved parties, communications, dispute resolutions and penalties are covered. The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and RTW are discussed with a comparison of WSIB and OHRC obligations.

Funding of the WSIB system, the difference between Schedules 1 and 2 employers, who is covered and incentive programs are covered. NEER calculation of premiums, SIEF, transfer of costs and how an effective WR program can reduce employer costs are explained. The benefits of cooperative and collaborative efforts of the workplace parties in an effective WR program and processes for problem solving and alternative dispute resolution are discussed.