The following elements can facilitate a timely return to work after illness or injury: 

• Development of a

  Return-to-work is a concept encompassing all procedures and initiatives aiming at facilitating the workplace reintegration of persons who experience a reduction in work capacity or capability, whether due to invalidity, illness or ageing. (Source)

  policy: It is advisable for employers to develop a

  Return-to-work is a concept encompassing all procedures and initiatives aiming at facilitating the workplace reintegration of persons who experience a reduction in work capacity or capability, whether due to invalidity, illness or ageing. (Source)

  policy that is integrated into OSH, sickness absence management and

  A disabled worker is a worker with physical or mental impairments that may hamper the work performance. Disabled workers include people with chronic, long-term or progressive conditions.  (Source)

  policies. The policy can set out details concerning, for example, the roles and responsibilities of the actors involved, procedures around communication arrangements with the worker, and workplace adaptation measures. 
• Take measures early in the process: The chances of successful return to work are far greater when measures are taken at the beginning of the absence period. The focus should be on accommodating workers’ health problems so that they can return to work as soon as possible.
• Individualised solutions: Measures to reintegrate the worker should be tailored to his/her needs and abilities rather than ‘one-size-fits-all’. Reduced hours, adapted workstations, adjusting work demands, should all be designed according to what the individual can do.
• Focus on capacity rather than incapacity: While work capacity may have changed, it is more useful to keep the focus on the person’s remaining skills and abilities, and re-design their role around that.
• Comprehensive measures:

  Return-to-work is a concept encompassing all procedures and initiatives aiming at facilitating the workplace reintegration of persons who experience a reduction in work capacity or capability, whether due to invalidity, illness or ageing. (Source)

  interventions should consider the bigger picture. Everything from conditions in the workplace to social and personal factors should be taken into account (e.g. travel burden associated with treatments, level of cooperation among work colleagues, etc.). 
• Communication and shared objective: A good

  Return-to-work is a concept encompassing all procedures and initiatives aiming at facilitating the workplace reintegration of persons who experience a reduction in work capacity or capability, whether due to invalidity, illness or ageing. (Source)

  process involves various people, from the worker, employer, HR and OSH advisor, to the treating physician, social insurer, and training institute. Despite having different responsibilities in the process, everyone needs to share the common objective of a quick and effective sustainable return to work.

More about work arrangements as part of the return-to-work process (OSH professional module)

Examples of good practices