Return to Work and Re-employment - COR Element18
In Ontario, whenever a person is injured and cannot carry out all the functions of the pre-accident job, the employer must consider offering modified duties to allow the employee to return to work and perform meaningful activities.
Functional ability accommodation will need to be reviewed and approved by the treating physician, who may impose medical restrictions based upon the severity of the injury, the worker’s physical limitations, and/or the job position physical demand analysis.
The COR audit tool checks to confirm that an organization undergoing audit has a functional Return to Work and Re-employment program. A COR auditor will review the following key elements:
A signed Return to Work and Re-employment policy and procedure has been implemented and is properly maintained. This program needs to be reviewed periodically.
The goals of the Return to Work program are clearly defined and documented.
A proper framework for the Return to Work and Re-employment Plan has been developed and implemented.
Procedures are available to address the employer’s duty to accommodate injured workers, develop re-employment plans for transition to full employment, and define the communication requirements between stakeholders.
Modification of injured worker duties is permitted and based upon job tasks and specific physical demands.
The WSIB claims management program addresses the requirements of all WSIB correspondence.
Any organization that can provide positive responses to the above is in a good place, and likely on its way to building proactive safe work environment.
If you would be interested in a mini assessment of your current COR journey or are looking for an external auditor, we would be happy to help you. Please feel free to contact us at:
roger.belair@onsitehse.com or inquiry@cssp-inc.com
Presented by Roger Belair and Jason Colucci - Approved COR Associate Auditors.
