Return-To-Work Program

Program Purpose
The primary purpose of the Return-to-Work (RTW) program is to return eligible employees to the County work force at the earliest medically allowable date and in accordance with their medical treatment plan.

The County of Riverside’s Return-to-Work Program promotes rehabilitation and enhances the recovery process of employees experiencing an illness/injury, while maximizing productivity and controlling related expenditures. This program will also foster compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and associated guidelines. This will be accomplished through a partnership including the disabled employee, medical providers, and a multi-disciplined team of key personnel working together toward the common goal of expediting the employee’s return to physical and psychological well being.

Why Return-to-Work?
Research shows that returning an employee to work as soon as medically possible is essential in properly managing workers’ compensation and disability claims. It is also beneficial for the employee both physically and psychologically. Understanding this issue, Human Resources developed a Return-to-Work (RTW) program. This program is designed to raise the consciousness of County managers, supervisors, and staff as to the need to provide transitional duty to injured and/or disabled employees, and the benefits that can come from such a program for all involved.

Return-to-Work Goals
The goals of the program are to:

fulfill our moral, ethical and legal responsibilities to our employees;

provide transitional assignments or temporarily modified work while the employee is recovering;

assist departments in identifying tasks for transitional duty work assignments for injured employees;

create positive workplace morale through communication and support for the ill/injured worker;

minimize the potential for re-injury or permanent disability;

reduce medical and disability costs;

and increase productivity by decreasing lost work time.

How does the RTW Program Work?
Employee suffers work related or non-work related illness/injury.

Department is responsible for notifying either Workers’ Compensation or the RTW Program Coordinator:

For Work Related Injury/Illness:
Workers’ Compensation Division:
(800)981-4613 — intake line

For Non-Work Related Injury/Illness:
Return-to-Work Program:
(877)RET-2WRK (738-2975), or
send email to return2work@rc-hr.com

Tracking process begins and the RTW team will assist departments with returning employees back to work in transitional duty assignments as the worker is released by their treating physician.

Employee recovers and returns to work.

If employee is released with permanent restrictions— the Human Resources Services Team will initiate the interactive process.

General RTW Flow
Employees cleared to return to work shall abide by the County of Riverside’s Return-to-Work Program guidelines. Employees who refuse to comply with Return-to-Work Program guidelines may jeopardize his/her right to further benefits. Employees must provide their department designee and the RTW Coordinator with a certificate from the treating physician releasing them to work noting any restrictions. Efforts will be made to place workers in a job that is as near to their normal and customary working conditions as possible. The RTW Team, the treating physician, Workers’ Compensation, the employee and the department work together to create an effective RTW Program.

Employee Benefits

Job site rehabilitation speeds recovery
Less disruption to normal routine
Controlled environment minimizes risk of re-injury
Preserves leave time which may have been used to supplement paid benefits
Maintain social contacts at work place
Support during recuperation period
Positive influence on peers during recuperation
Cultivates endurance vs. inactivity
Realizes value to the organization
Focuses on abilities instead of disability
Productive use of abilities promotes self-esteem

Department Benefits

Prevents secondary disability/re-injury
Saves money spent on hiring temporary workers
Promotes positive employee morale in the work place
Utilize recovery period to maintain productivity
Preserves a skilled and valuable worker
Illustrates value of employee to the work place
Promotes employee return to the work force
Promotes cross-training
Minimizes potential for adversarial relationship
Lower medical costs
Decrease costs for lost work days
Maximizing productivity promotes positive feedback
Minimizes case management
Maximizes communication with injured employee
Minimizes short and long-term disability cases
Promotes compliance with ADA

Transitional Work Goals

Keep the employee in their own department, if possible, to help maintain connection
Receive input from both the employee and the supervisor
Be creative with transitional duties

Wages & Benefits
Participating employees will earn their regular, hourly wage and accrue benefits as applicable in their regular assignments.

How Can the RTW Team Help You?
The RTW team is responsible for tracking absences and coordinating the early return of employees who become eligible for transitional work.

Identify and inform all parties involved of transitional/modified work available.
Coordinate the Return-to-Work program following legal regulations and compliance guidelines.
Communicate with medical providers, employees and department designee regarding the RTW program.
Coordinate initial and ongoing training and support regarding the RTW program.
Communicate with safety division to ensure transitional work includes safety measures to avoid re-injury.

Department Resources
To begin the process, complete the Return to Work Referral Form. This can be accessed on the Management Resources page of Workforce Exchange.

County of Riverside Return-to-Work Team contact information:
County Administration Center
PO Box 1120

3880 Lemon Street, Ste. 100
Riverside, CA 92502-1120
RTW Report Line (877) RET-2WRK (738-2975)
RTW Fax Line-(951) 955-0385
E-mail: return2work@rc-hr.com