Return to Work Program
The goal of everyone involved is to help you recover from injuries and return to work as soon as possible. To do that, we help your employer and your doctor communicate with each other, and with you, about your recovery. This way, the doctor has a clear idea of the job you normally do, and your employer understands any medical restrictions you may have.
Once everyone understands the situation, your Summit claims adjuster will work with you, your employer, and your doctor to create a job that respects your physical limitations but still allows you to come back to work in some capacity. We call this transitional duty.
How does returning to work benefit me?
Back2work®, Summit’s return-to-work program, is designed to eliminate fears you may have about returning to work by providing helpful information, good planning, and clear communication. Studies show that returning to work is the best choice for most injured employees financially, medically, and mentally.
Financially
Because your workers’ comp wage benefits are less than your normal wages, returning to work gives you the chance to earn a real paycheck and get your income back to normal.
In addition, you should be able to recover some of the other benefits of your employment, such as company health or life insurance, 401(k)-matching programs, or retirement contributions. You’ll also begin contributing to Social Security again.
When it comes to your money, it pays to return to work!
Medically
While bed rest is appropriate in some instances, it is often medically appropriate, and even advisable, for injured employees to return to work in some capacity. Getting up, getting dressed, and heading to the office or jobsite are all ways to keep your muscles moving and speed up recovery. And, by interacting with coworkers and setting return-to-work recovery goals, you combat depression.
Mentally
Isolation, boredom, and a general lack of purpose can take a major toll on a person’s state of mind. Getting back to a social, routine-oriented, and productive environment at work can resolve these issues. You’ll be able to interact with your coworkers, re-establish a daily work routine, and regain a sense of accomplishment.
What is transitional duty?
Transitional duty is temporary work that you may be offered before you are fully recovered. The idea is to work while you heal. Transitional duty should always comply with your medical work restrictions and should be a temporary assignment leading back to your normal job.
There are two types of transitional duty: modified or alternate work.
- Modified work is simply a different way of doing your original job.
- Alternate work may be a completely new type of job, an assignment elsewhere in the company, or even work with another organization that is associated with your company.
When it comes to transitional duty, be creative and open to new ideas. Work should be meaningful, benefit the company, and make your recovery a more positive experience.
Injuries may slow you down, but they cannot hinder your spirit. We’re here to support you. Use this time to heal and come back stronger than ever.
Nekitta Tomberlin, Back2work Liaison
Medical work restrictions
The key to successfully returning to work is to have appropriate medical restrictions in place, and to stick to them! Here’s how.
Establishing restrictions
The treatment plan your doctor creates is largely based on the information you provide. Be honest with your doctor about what hurts, how much it hurts, and what causes it to hurt. Don’t try to tough it out or hide your pain, but don’t exaggerate your injury either.
Your doctor may give you a limit for weight lifting, restrict the time you’re able to stand or sit, or even require that you be temporarily placed in a different work environment. You and your employer can then take these restrictions and apply them to your job—focusing on what you can do, rather than what you can’t.
Complying with restrictions
It may be inconvenient to ask for help or to work with job modifications, but keep in mind that it’s temporary and really is in your best interest. And remember, lifting that heavy box at home is no different than lifting it at work. Restrictions apply everywhere, not just on the job!
As you heal, restrictions will usually be decreased gradually or eliminated altogether. Even if you feel you can do more than you are allowed, you should still comply with your current restrictions until your next office visit with your doctor. At that time, you and your doctor can adjust your restrictions as appropriate.
However, if you find that even with your restrictions, you’re experiencing pain when you work, call your doctor immediately. It’s important to prevent reinjuring yourself.
If your employer or supervisor asks you to do something that compromises your work restrictions, explain why you cannot. If the issue continues, contact your Summit claims adjuster. We will investigate the situation and ensure that everyone understands your medical limitations.
Return to Work
The goal of everyone involved is to help you recover from injuries and return to work as soon as possible. To do that, we help your employer and your doctor communicate with each other, and with you, about your recovery. This way, the doctor has a clear idea of the job you normally do, and your employer understands any medical restrictions you may have.
Once everyone understands the situation, your Summit claims adjuster will work with you, your employer and your doctor to create a job that respects your physical limitations but still allows you to come back to work in some capacity. We call this transitional duty.
How does returning to work benefit me?
Back2work®, Summit’s return-to-work program, is designed to eliminate fears you may have about returning to work by providing helpful information, good planning and clear communication. Studies show that returning to work is the best choice for most injured workers financially, medically and mentally.
Financially
Because your workers’ comp wage benefits are less than your normal wages, returning to work gives you the chance to earn a real paycheck and get your income back to normal.
In addition, you should be able to recover some of the other benefits of your employment, such as company health or life insurance, 401(k)-matching programs or retirement contributions. You’ll also begin contributing to Social Security again.
When it comes to your money, it pays to return to work!
Medically
While bed rest is appropriate in some instances, it is often medically appropriate, and even advisable, for injured employees to return to work in some capacity. Getting up, getting dressed and heading to the office or job site are all ways to keep your muscles moving and speed up recovery. And, by interacting with coworkers and setting return-to-work recovery goals, you combat depression.
Mentally
Isolation, boredom and a general lack of purpose can take a major toll on a person’s state of mind. Getting back to a social, routine-oriented and productive environment at work can resolve these issues. You’ll be able to interact with your coworkers, re-establish a daily work routine and regain a sense of accomplishment.
What is transitional duty?
Transitional duty is temporary work that you may be offered before you are fully recovered. The idea is to work while you heal. Transitional duty should always comply with your medical work restrictions and should be a temporary assignment leading back to your normal job.
There are two types of transitional duty: modified or alternate work.
- Modified work is simply a different way of doing your original job.
- Alternate work may be a completely new type of job, an assignment elsewhere in the company or even work with another organization that is associated with your company.
When it comes to transitional duty, be creative and open to new ideas. Work should be meaningful, benefit the company and make your recovery a more positive experience.
Medical work restrictions
The key to a successful return to work is to have appropriate medical restrictions in place, and to stick to them! Here’s how.
Establishing restrictions
The treatment plan your doctor creates is largely based on the information you provide. Be honest with your doctor about what hurts, how much it hurts and what causes it to hurt. Don’t try to tough it out or hide your pain, but don’t exaggerate your injury either.
Your doctor may give you a limit for weight lifting, restrict the time you’re able to stand or sit, or even require that you be temporarily placed in a different work environment. You and your employer can then take these restrictions and apply them to your job—focusing on what you can do, rather than what you can’t.
Complying with restrictions
It may be inconvenient to ask for help or to work with job modifications, but keep in mind that it’s temporary and really is in your best interest. And remember, lifting that heavy box at home is no different than lifting it at work. Restrictions apply everywhere, not just on the job!
As you heal, restrictions will usually be decreased gradually or eliminated altogether. Even if you feel you can do more than you are allowed, you should still comply with your current restrictions until your next office visit with your doctor. At that time, you and your doctor can adjust your restrictions as appropriate.
However, if you find that even with your restrictions, you’re experiencing pain when you work, call your doctor immediately. It’s important to prevent reinjuring yourself.
If your employer or supervisor asks you to do something that compromises your work restrictions, explain why you cannot. If the issue continues, contact your Summit claims adjustor. We will investigate the situation and ensure that everyone understands your medical limitations.