Articles

This page lists all practical and feature articles available on RTWMatters. From top ten tips, how to guides and case studies, through to webinar recordings and video interviews with industry experts.

Click the ‘Topics’ button below to drill down into all articles and research updates on your topic of interest.

Click the ‘Quick Guides’ button for practical bit sized guides that give you a sound basic knowledge base.

Lifestyle Factors and RTW: Fitness

contributorA. Richey

Fitness lowers the risk of injury and aids recovery, but 71% of the Australian working...

Psychological Cases: prevention is better than the cure

contributorA. Richey

The workplace is a social environment. For many, this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of...

Workplace Nonchalance: who cares?

contributorA. Richey

Nonchalant employees are not unhappy. They're not disgruntled. They’re people who show up day...

Workplace Incivility: where are your manners?

contributorA. Richey

Incivility is being rude, discourteous and showing a lack of regard for others. The behaviour...

Webinar Recording: The nuts and bolts of work oriented treatment

contributorDr Chris Stevens

Gain an understanding of the practical aspects of Work Oriented Treatment for workers...

Webinar Recording: Improving RTW Outcomes - the Strategic Impact of Work Oriented Treatment Part 1

contributorDr Chris Stevens

Gain an understanding of the strategic impact of Work Oriented Treatment for workers...

Mental Health: developing an action plan for your workplace - part 1

contributorA. Richey

An estimated one in five employees will be impacted by a mental health condition at any one time...

Case Study: I Told Them but They Didn't Listen

contributorA. Richey

Ms L is a right handed 46 year old who was employed for ten years to pack domestic cleaning...

Role Summary: Psychologist

contributorA. Richey

Psychology is the study of the mind and associated behaviours. A psychologist's focus may be on...

Webinar Recording: Employers taking the lead role

contributorKerry Foster

In this webinar Kerry Foster, Director of Active Occupational Health Services, will discuss the...

RTW and the workplace: Reciprocity rules Part 2

contributorMary Wyatt, using a Safe Work Australia report

Results from the national Return to Work Survey show the strength and consistency of workplace...

Webinar Recording: Participatory Ergonomics & Manual Handling

contributorEmma Morgan & Rachel Doody

This presentation will discuss how “Participatory Ergonomic” principles can be considered and ...

eLearning: Musculoskeletal troubles

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Understanding the difficulties everyone faces with musculoskeletal problems can help you help...

Mental health at work, Steps to get there

contributorIngrid Ozols

An interview with Ingid Ozols, director of mh@work, exploring how mental health can be improved...

Why bother with workplace wellness?

contributorGarbielle Lis and Tom Barton

1. Return on investment; 2. Health and productivity for ageing workers...

Health and wellbeing in the real world

contributorGabrielle Lis

Trouble convincing your organisation to invest in workplace health and wellbeing? Try these...

Getting RTW buy-in

contributorTom Barton

Seasoned return to work professional Joanne Taranto explains the basis of a great RTW program.

Video presentation: Participatory ergonomics

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Combining ergonomics WITH participation opens up a treasure load of possible solutions.

Workplace wellbeing - front and Centre(link)

contributorTom Barton

We speak to Jody Bell about Centrelink's award-winning health and wellbeing initiative.

Sedentary exercise

contributorGabrielle Lis

Think that 30-40 minutes of daily exercise gets an office-based workforce off the hook? Think...

Job Rotation - 3

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Implementing job rotation.

Job Rotation - 2

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Overcome the common barriers and ensure employee buy-in.

Job Rotation - 1

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Want to boost productivity, improve job satisfaction and reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal...

How do I find meaningful alternate duties?

contributorTom Barton

Here we respond to a common RTW Coordinator question.

The age of manual handling

contributorGabrielle Lis

Qantas at Brisbane Airport safely retains older manual handling workers by asking whether there...

Outside the city, outside the square

contributorAntonia George

In a close-knit rural community, one RTWC's resourceful approach transforms a movement-limiting...

New vision for old

contributorShelly Frohip

The ageing workforce may necessitate more accommodations for vision loss. What are the high and...

Designer jobs

contributorGabrielle Lis

Does job design affect health and performance in the workplace? And if so, how can jobs be...

What helps people with long-term disease remain at work?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt and Tom Barton

Making work modifications for workers with a long-term disease can help them avoid sickness...

What's with 'That Department'?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Want something done at work? It helps to know what and who you're working with. Start by asking...

How to win change and influence people

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

A change is as good as a holiday, right? Time to implement change where it's needed.

Top ten reasons to have a health and wellbeing program

contributorGabrielle Lis

Need some ammunition to make the case for investment in health and wellbeing? Look no further...

Employees tough to budge on workplace health?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Dr Steve Beller says 'Joy of living' is a much more powerful motivator than 'fear of illness and...

The Stress Series Part 3 - Prevention programs in the workplace

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Employers can take action to beat the problem of stress before it even arises. This article...

Promoting active workplaces for better work health

contributorSarah Duffield

For employers looking to increase productivity and reduce sick days, a workplace wellness...

On-site injury management

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

A chapter summary from the book 'Moving in on occupational injury' exploring the benefits of...

Jos Verbeek on The Cochrane Occupational Health Field

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

The Cochrane Occupational Health Field gathers evidence on the effectiveness of occupational...