Contributor

Sarah Duffield

Articles by ‘Sarah Duffield’
Tuna farmers turning the tide in return to work management.

An investment in occupational health, safety and welfare has paid dividends for a South Australian tuna farm.

Promoting active workplaces for better work health

For employers looking to increase productivity and reduce sick days, a workplace wellness program could be the answer.

Bridging the generation and gender gap

Young female rehabilitation consultant + middle aged male worker: the most fraught relationship in RTW?

Good RTW calls for a unified and holistic approach

Hear from two return to work and rehabilitation experts with tips to help the rehab and RTW process.

The importance of early return to productive and full time duties

A worker has several months off work after experiencing acute back pain. Her eventual return to work was not successful, with frequent aggravation of symptoms resulting in inconsistent working...

Doubling up on a frozen shoulder diagnosis.

An older worker develops frozen shoulder after a fracture injury. After several months of rehabilitation her condition begins to slowly improve. But before long the same problem starts to develop...

Complacency in return to work programs does not produce good outcomes

An injured worker, with knee injuries and heart condition, is made redundant and has to deal with the concern that no other employer will take him on.

Ignoring a problem will only make it worse.

A cleaner works through increasing pain levels for more than two years before reporting her difficulties. By this time she is unable to perform her pre-injury duties and is forced into a longer...

Employers can sort out liability issues simply by seeking sensible medical advice

An admin officer developed acute back pain after several weeks of 'niggling' soreness. Questioning the work relatedness of the back pain doubled the costs.

When adequate rehabilitation is not enough

A long-term stable worker sustains a significant hip injury. While he has returned to work on restricted duties, a long term view is needed.

Early, quality support for workers with significant injuries is important.

A long standing employee sustained a significant knee injury at work. Effective coordination and rehabilitation would have changed his life.

Loss of motivation is common when people remain on part-time modified duties

A project manager develops an overuse injury and is still on part-time restricted duties after many months.

Proactive management is crucial for anxious injured workers

A machine operator who already has minimal work restrictions experiences another injury, this time resulting in ongoing soreness, coupled with anxiety and distress. The result is an extended...