Help for injured workers to get back to work

Minister for WorkCover, Mr Bob Cameron, has launched a new campaign aimed at improving return to work outcomes for Victoria’s injured workers.

He was joined by the CEO of VECCI, Mr Neil Coulson, and Trades Hall Assistant Secretary, Nathan Niven, along with the CEO of the Victorian WorkCover Authority, Bill Mountford.

Mr Cameron said the time for better injury management had come with more than 30,000 Victorians being compensated for workplace injuries each year.

“This information campaign introduces new return to work guidelines which come into effect on July 1 this year and are designed to ensure injured workers receive the support they need,” he said.

A CD-ROM will be sent to 180,000 Victorian employers and all employers will be encouraged to learn more about their return to work obligations through print, radio and television advertisements.

The campaign features an injured worker frustrated and stuck at home just wanting to be back at work.

“The message to employers is to work with their injured worker and treating doctor and develop a return to work plan as soon as possible.

On top of the moral obligation to do the right thing by an injured worker, there is a strong financial, business and legal case to do so.

Employers who actively support a worker’s recovery will benefit from improved staff morale, retain job skills and stem productivity losses.

Furthermore, improved health outcomes and return to work results lead directly to lower premiums and reduced claim costs.”

VECCI CEO, Neil Coulson, welcomed the return to work guide as an initiative that will help employers meet their obligations.

“We have an enormous opportunity to improve our return to work rates in Victoria,” he said.

Trades Hall, Assistant Secretary, Nathan Niven also commended the guide and employer CD as an easy to use source of practical advice.

“It is in everyone’s interest for workers to get back to work as soon as possible.

‘Trades Hall and affiliate unions look forward to developing return to work plan enforcement protocols with the VWA to back up the clear commitment to returning injured workers to work,” he said.

Victorian WorkCover Authority Chief Executive, Bill Mountford, said employers had always had obligations to their injured workers but under the new return to work laws the specifics of those obligations had been made clearer.

“We’re doing this to help improve average return to work rates in this state,” Mr Mountford said.

“By July 1 employers must meet basic standards in occupational rehabilitation policies, individual return to work plans for injured workers and risk management programs.

After an injury, the best results are achieved if workers have regular contact with their workplace and a plan is put in place early to help get staff back to work as soon as medically possible.”