This Articles Summary Page lists the latest content in each section. Click the
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We bring you a collection of our best tips for even better RTW in 2012.
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We look at how organisational policies and practices can have a big impact on RTW outcomes.
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In this edition of 'surviving and thriving' we look at 'the complainer'.
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Return To Work Matters partners with Dr Natasha Kiso to deliver supervisor training.
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Dr Robyn Horsley gives us ten tips for great communication with the treating doctor.
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Dr Robyn Horsley explains the issues when communicating with a treating doctor.
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We look at the impact of narcissism at work, methods of identification and effective ways to deal with it.
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The benefits of humour in the workplace.
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We look at the practical measures organisations can take to encourage employees to work with them, not for them
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Following on from our 3-part series on job burnout, 'Maintain the flame', we provide a fully editable burnout prevention eTool.
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If you spend your working week perched in front of your computer, it's vital that you educate yourself on the correct workstation setup to prevent chronic and long-term injury.
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What can employers do to help prevent and respond to burnout?
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In Part 1 of this 2-part series we explore the characteristics and benefits of engaged employees
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In part 1 of a 3-part series, we look at the syptoms, causes and effects of job burnout
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We look at how RTW Coordinators can help prevent, manage, and assist recovery from burnout
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Standing workstations can create problems. We look at how you can minimise these issues and provide a better workplace.
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Make a big difference by assisting employees who've decided on surgery
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Help workers understand the options and outcomes
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Combining ergonomics WITH participation opens up a treasure load of possible solutions
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Seated workstations are not complicated to set up well. We cover the basics so you can help others avoid problems.
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This introduction to ergonomics introduces the basic principles of ergonomics and why you'd want to address it at the workplace.
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Job design includes the physical layout, AND how jobs fit the person's psyche. Deadlines, flexible work practices, control, workplace culture need to be address to prevent and manage physical and mental health problems.
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Liberty Mutual Research Instutute for Safety
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One solution to the national skills shortage remains overlooked
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Better ways of delivering bad news
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It's easy to get lost in a labriynth of data about the planet's no. 1 killer.
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Celia Prosser, owner and director of Achieve with Ease, explains how her experience as a Return to Work Co-ordinator helps her resolve workplace conflict.
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Overworked? Underappreciated? Remember why you do what you do.
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Have you ever been told you are a poor listener? Maybe you have, but you weren't paying attention?!
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Don't just hear the words, listen to them. These five steps to becoming an active listener will help you build a better workplace.
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What do good health, better financial returns and the "Best Places to Work" have in common?
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Improving your workplace with employee surveys.
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Ingrid Ozols - founder and Director of the Mental Health at Work initiative - explains the importance of reading the signs of mental illness.
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We speak to Jody Bell about Centrelink's award-winning health and wellbeing initiative.
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Ingrid Ozols - founder and Director of the Mental Health at Work initiative - explains the importance of reading the signs of mental illness.
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Effective upwards communication is good for your career and can help you establish a best practice injury management system. How is it done?
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Think that 30-40 minutes of daily exercise gets an office-based workforce off the hook? Think again. Activity throughout the day is a must for good health.
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Implementing job rotation.
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How do managers and supervisors impact the mental and emotional wellbeing of their team? Is it possible to manage in a way that promotes good mental and emotional health?
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Motivated employees have better return to work outcomes.
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Sharing RTW information with workers creates connections and ensures consistency across diverse workplaces. This case study, from Scenic Rim Regional Council in QLD, shows you how to enage workers from induction onwards.
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Making the business case for best practice injury management? There are simple methods to assist you in calculating the rate and cost of staff turnover in your organisation.
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Calculating the costs of absenteeism will help you make the case for better injury management systems and investment in health and wellbeing.
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Overcome the common barriers and ensure employee buy-in.
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Want to boost productivity, improve job satisfaction and reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries?
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What employers should know
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Richard Green, injury and claims manager with the CFA after Black Saturday, knows what to expect from diaster-exposed workers, and how to help them through.
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This case study looks at how involving and supporting the partner of an injured worker assists the RTW process.
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Qantas at Brisbane Airport safely retains older manual handling workers by asking whether there is a match between required tasks and individual capacity...
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We respond to a common RTW Coordinator question.
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Are you a RTW professional daunted by the prospect of working with a predominantly blue collar workforce? You're not alone. Here are ten tried and tested tips for building rapport.
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Elizabeth draws on personal experience in this Users Guide To Maintaining a Positive Attitude on the Road to Recovery.
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Visiting injured workers at home and at work is an integral part of the Scenic Rim Regional Council's award winning injury management program. What makes this approach so effective?
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Back pain accounts for a large proportion of injury claims, and a higher proportion of long term disability. Medical issues are important, but how the workplace deals with the employee has a greater impact on outcomes.
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Keep your workers happy, healthy and productive! Find out why ergonomics is important and then use our top ten tips to improve workplace wellness.
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People who believe they've been treated unfairly have lower functional ability than those who think that they've had a fair go. How can you get past the victim mentality?
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The pros and cons of working from home when returning to work.
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Horse-racing may be the sport of kings, but the humble jockey often pays the cost. What are the RTW processes and options for injured jockeys?
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If an 80 year old butcher with a twice-torn rotator cuff sounds like a tough RTW gig, meet Keith Schwarze from Queensland, whose love for his job made him determined to work again.
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How prepared are you for the fight to retain your best talent? Staff retention systems that position your company as a great place to work should be part of your arsenal.
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Q-Comp was so impressed by the collective wisdom of QLD RRTWCs, they compiled a list of tips to share with the whole RTW community. Plenty of gems here...
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Paul Amos uses his personal experience of injury to great effect when dealing with injured workers at the Barossa Community Store.
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If your injury management program isn't bridging the gap between the workplace and the doctor's office, an Occupational Therapist could help...
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Twelve tips for carers, to help them cope with the challenges of caring for a sick or injured love one.
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How honesty, realism, a community-ethic and targeted splurging set one health and rehab consultant apart from the rest.
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The pace of return to activity after an accident or injury is dictated by more than just physical limitations. Here are seven secrets to help you get back up to speed.
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Most of us do not think about consciously connecting our mind with our body, breath and soul; but research shows benefits for RTW.
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The ageing workforce may necessitate more accommodations for vision loss. What are the high and low tech options?
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In a close-knit rural community, one RTWC's resourceful approach transforms a movement-limiting spinal injury into a business and career opportunity.
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When a health insurer offers support after a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, Antonia agrees to learn how to self-manage her chronic condition. Does the coaching provide value for money?
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Does job design affect health and performance in the workplace? And if so, how can jobs be redesigned to improve both?
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In pain, low in confidence, and down at heart: it can be a hard slog to get back into the workforce. Here's the juice on helping people find a job.
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From managing interactions with doctors, to writing useful and appropriate file notes, new RTWCs face many challenges. How can organisations help them get their bearings?
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In this case study a process and profit focused RTW Coordinator impedes the return-to-work of an injured worker.
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This fact sheet for workers considering a common law claim outlines pros, cons and survival tips.
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Know what you want from people at work, but not how to get it? Learn how to talk the talk, and frame your requests assertively.
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Making work modifications for workers with a long-term disease can help them avoid sickness absence and work disability, and improve their productivity.
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Missing out on early intervention puts an end to this cleaner's night job, but doesn't stop her from retraining for a satisfying new career.
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Many Australians experience a mental disorder while also suffering from a musculoskeletal condition. Does one cause the other?
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Is it possible to have too much optimism? And what's the best approach to take when you're confronted by someone else's pessimism?
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Passive. Aggressive. Assertive. How does your professional communication style affect your working life?
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What is optimism? How is it good for health? When is it wise, in professional life, to get your grin on?
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Hang on! Isn't RTW supposed to be all about the love? We count down ten ways to improve tetchy worker / manager relationships.
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In this dispatch from the desk of a RTW Coordinator, a stint as a claimant brings a whole new perspective on case management...
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Finding it hard to move your company on workplace wellbeing? Run these case studies by them and see if they don't step to a new tune.
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You know organisational trust has tangible benefits. Now for the hard yards: how can you foster trust in your workplace and in your injury management system?
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Implementing primary prevention policies can reduce your workers' risk of developing cancer.
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Cancer is the most widespread chronic disease in Australia. We look at 10 tips for supporting employees through cancer treatment and returning to work.
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What is stigma? What are some consequences of stigma? How might stigma manifest in the workplace? And what can you do about it?
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Psychologist Colin Thompson introduces us to Mindfulness Therapy, which has been shown to assist people with problems including anxiety, chronic pain and addiction.
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The Australian Government has made arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions national health priorities in the battle against chronic disease in Australia.
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We corral five notorious porky pies about work and ageing and pit them against the fast-draw facts.
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Diabetes is Australia's fastest growing chronic disease and affects 7.5 per cent of the population. How can you accomodate diabetic workers? And can employers assist with prevention?
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We look at 10 ways to deal with the stress of chronic pain.
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Getting the information you need to facilitate RTW shouldn't be as painful as pulling teeth - you just need to ask the right questions...
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Read Mary’s guide to fearless RTW Coordination leadership, then take up our Choose Your Own Adventure Leadership Challenge!
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How to look out for and deal with signs of suicide in your workplace.
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Avoid heart disease with this fact sheet and our top tips for a healthy workplace.
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Ten tips to loosen your tongue and ease your mind when that big presentation looms.
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Asthma is the leading chronic disease in Australia. This briefing paper covers the basics, as well as occupational risk factors and risk management.
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We chat to Michael Simpson from OccCorp about how you can reduce your premium AND meet your obligations to workers.
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A truck driver with a recurring knee injury doesn't let setbacks keep him out of the cabin in this SA case study
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Painful inflammation of the heel and foot.
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RTW Coordinators who manage time well do better. What are the secrets to good time management?
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In Australia and globally, preventable chronic diseases are on the rise. What does this mean for employers?
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Taking ages to recover and return to regular duties after a workers' compensation claim? Make some noise!
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This Q&A for employers covers the Who, What, When and How of Rehabilitation Providers
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Part 4 - Return to work, return to normal
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Researchers now know how tiny, drug-free needles kill pain. This briefing paper covers what acupuncture is, and what it's good for.
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Motorcycle mechanic Craig can't wait to get back to work after breaking his femur and heel. Is his old job still suitable?
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A RTW coordinator's busy role can often put them at risk of stalling. We look at how to shift motivation up a gear.
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Shh! The low-down on confidentiality, return to work and workers' comp.
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Small Business series - Attitudes and People handling.
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Are opioids a safe and effective treatment for acute pain? How about chronic pain? What are the risks and benefits?
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Small Business series Part 2: The nuts and bolts.
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When it comes to "invisible injury", what you CAN'T see CAN hurt you--and your RTW prospects. How can the workplace help?
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We respond to a Return to Work Coordinator's query about resolving problems between employers and insurers.
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Dispatch from the desk of a RTW Coordinator, tackling re-injury and a nasty case of badweekitis.
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Small Business series
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Who comes out saddles blazing when Comcare takes on the ACT and QLD in the third installment of our jurisdictional website comparison?
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Responding to a reader's request for help to help
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Sometimes compensation systems, not injury, deliver the knock out blow. Don't let that happen to your workers!
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In response to a reader's questions, our resident Occ Phys explains how to encourage a proactive approach to return to work.
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How do VIC, TAS and the NT stack up in our comparison of workers' comp jurisdictional websites?
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Despite growing perceptions that workplace activities cause and complicate injuries, the evidence suggests the opposite.
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RTW Coordinators nominate the top RTW challenges faced by employers, workers and treating practitioners
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'Get back into work mode' is the advice of pilot John Carroll, who was injured at work in a helicopter accident.
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We compare Australian workers' comp / RTW websites. First up: NSW, WA, and SA.
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Workers expect more from supervisors than supervisors are prepared to give - but training can build a RTW bridge!
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Longtime seaman Ivan Verschuur says no to bullying and abuse at work.
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Understanding how peoples' distress can interfere with their recovery is the key to addressing difficult RTW cases.
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If patients who see an occupational doctor get better results, why isn't it common practice?
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Understanding musculoskeletal pain will increase productivity and health.
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Simple, straightforward guidelines for ensuring injured employees have access to all their legal entitlements.
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Why don't doctors communicate well when returning patients to work? Let's consider ways of helping them to.
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How can employers avoid real (or perceived) discrimination and harassment during the RTW process?
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Some people have a harder time managing their injury and returning to work than others. Are medical issues usually responsible?
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Knowing when injury reports should be made and how they should be dealt with can reduce the pain and strain of the process...
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How to take the long view and get where you want to go, faster.
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Figuring out whether you're a team player or a solo flier, a nurturer or a strategist can make your job a whole lot easier...
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Don't send yourself--or your worker--to the dogs! Fair in-house systems can keep claims out of court.
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You can't afford hit and miss. What works, what doesn't and how can you market tried and true solutions to your employees?
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Take 10 factors for RTW success and 10 for failure. Click on the ones you want to achieve - or remedy - and uncover the clues!
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Iron out problems by taking action
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Spine surgeons who've had spinal surgery provide the know-how for this briefing paper on recovery and RTW.
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Identify "dirty" laundry and take it to the cleaners
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Want something done at work? It helps to know what and who you're working with. Start by asking yourself these questions...
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You don't have to hang anybody out to dry to get your systems pegged. Instead, make plans and make friends.
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A change is as good as a holiday, right? Keep the post-summer break blues at bay. Implement change where it's needed.
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Not every injured or ill worker has the "I think I can" attitude of the Little Engine That Could. But you can get them there!
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Not yet a RTW pro? A tip: avoid these three attitudes when dealing with an injured worker.
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Three volumes of RTWMatters Greatest Hits to get you pointed in the right direction
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We profile a success story in identifying and dismantling non-medical barriers to RTW at Concord Hospital, NSW
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The who, what, where, when of RTW case management
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Keep workers and reduce sick leave with a dose of sick leave sugar (and a dash of lemon!)
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A fact sheet about shoulder pain, including workplace contributions and solutions
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A down-the-line serve about work and tennis elbow, including good news about recovery and prevention.
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Hand-selected return to work mantras to help your RTW experience run more smoothly.
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Advice on how to bite the signs of disengagement - before they bite you
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Sickness certificates can be dangerous. Proceed with caution!
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Tips for supervisors who have their doubts about a worker's injury or compensation claim.
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A fact sheet for injured workers
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This final installment provides tips for helping anxious employees maintain their cool and remain at work.
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Want a better workplace? Get happier. Here are some pointers on how.
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In part two of this three part series, we look at the personal, economic and work-related costs of anxiety.
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This comprehensive guide to helping workers with back pain will have you donning lycra in no time...
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tips for helping anxious employees maintain their cool and remain at work.
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Jack of all trades? Conjurer of motivation and modified duties? Piggy in the middle? We lay it all out on the table...
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There are three golden rules for small business owners who doubt the work-relatedness of an injury...
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What's it like to enter the workers' comp system as an ill or injured worker?
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Workers struggle to listen and be heard. How does this affect them?
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Want to deal with presenteeism properly?
Know what you're dealing with.
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A quick guide to the advantages and basic techniques of active listening.
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The most common barriers to RTW are "psychosocial". Getting to know them makes it possible to overcome them.
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The considerable abilities of disabled workers are often overlooked when all the workplace needs is a "tweak"
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Rethinking things: Professor Niki Ellis says we need to consider why we're failing on a few fronts in workers' comp and RTW.
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Unsure about best practices in RTW? Shaw isn't. The US expert lends his voice of authority to a discussion of fast, effective RTW.
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Lessons gained from a room of RTW Coordinators include making sure the role is more than just an add-on - read on for more!
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A quick guide to minimising negative impacts of downsizing on workers' comp claims and return to work.
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Feel like you've hit a brick wall? Practical tips to help you chisel away at it...
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Hurdling with a briefcase is tough, so why not dismantle RTW relationship barriers before they trip you up?
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Bullying is bad for workplace health and bad for RTW. How widespread is it, and how does it impact on the field?
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Part One - What are the barriers to good doctor / employer relationships?
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How do employers know who is the right staff member to delegate the role of RTW coordinator?
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These practical industry insights will save you from having to grow an extra pair of arms...
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Arranging resources helps to achieve long-term workplace objectives. Here's how to make injury management planning work.
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This simple checklist will help you pinpoint the problem and jump start the process.
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RTW motivation can be hard to muster...Unless you've had your dose of the RTWMatters motivational mojo!
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Aged care worker, Donna Taylor, remains positive by taking on an admin role following an injury at work.
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There's no question about it, injured workers need special treatment. Employers, here are ten ways to show workers you care...
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If you're having trouble convincing injured or ill workers that early return to work is the best option, there are 5 things they need to know...
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All the info, in one big hit!
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Why it's worth noticing when employees feel overloaded - and what you can do about it.
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Supervisors apathetic about RTW? You gotta bust that apathy asap!
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Missing the zing in your step? Here's some help to refresh at work and steps to getting in the work groove.
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Flesh out your arthritis knowledge with a to-the-point briefing paper...
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Maximise the chances of great RTW outcomes by avoiding these factors that hold up the process.
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Practical tips for reducing musculoskeletal claims
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The basics of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and how it can be used to resolve difficult RTW cases.
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Who has control over organising modified duties in your workplace - and what are the pros and cons of having them in charge?
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Senior writer with WorkCover SA shares a great case study that shows RTW is always worth the hard work to get there.
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And how do I get those skills? Are they the same for Coordinators in companies of all sizes?
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What approaches can you take in the all-too-common situation of needing to convince others that good RTW is worth the effort?
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What happens in the first five minutes after injury affects health outcomes and costs. And your time starts...
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Need some ammunition to make the case for investment in health and wellbeing? Look no further than our latest top ten...
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Finished the training but lack on-field experience in RTW? We'll have you kicking goals in no time!
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How to recognise doctors who are good communicators - and why it's in your interest to seek them out.
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How-to Guide: Using modified duties to promote durable return to work.
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Fair enough - but you might not want to take this RTW news sitting down.
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Missing a tram stop is the last thing fatigued workers should be worrying about. Try diabetes, heart disease, depression...
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Conflict driving you crazy? Use it to drive innovation...
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Healthy choices aren’t always easy choices. Whose responsibility is workplace health?
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Getting the right mix is never easy but hearing how other people have succeeded in return to work helps. A WorkSafe officer offers her advice.
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It's a shame that something so clearly benefitial to injured workers is being done by so few.
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Ignoring the non-physical causes of musculoskeletal problems leads to very poor outcomes in this all too familiar case study.
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A short guide to surviving the recession for busy RTW and OHS professionals.
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Dr Steve Beller says ‘Joy of living’ is a much more powerful motivator than ‘fear of illness and death’.
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Workers' comp is a tough gig - tougher still when you're looking after a company covering almost all of Queensland. What helps? Read on to find out.
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At 10 000 steps a day, healthy creativity goes a LONG way...
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It's a waste to sweep cookie crumbs under the carpet, and the same goes for conflict. Don't ignore workplace conflict: manage it.
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Ever wondered what it might be like to work with a mental illness, let alone return to work after a psychotic episode? We spoke to a group of people who've done it - and some of what they told us might surprise you.
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What happens when WorkCover decides that workplace bullying - which your doctor tells you is responsible for your skyrocketing blood pressure and increasing reactive arthritis flare-ups - is actually "reasonable management action"?
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We take a look at the non physical work factors that contribute to musculoskeletal disorders
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Getting back to work after illness or injury can be daunting. Stick to our top ten, however, and not only will you survive - you'll thrive.
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Only time will tell whether the Rann government's WorkCover reforms are on the money or off the rails.
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Recognising conflict BEFORE you trip over it is essential for managing successful return to work.
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Smaller businesses don't necesarily have fewer problems with return to work - simply different ones. The Australian Industry Group's Tracey Browne talks us through the variations.
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Work can't stop when results improve. In this interview with an Injury Management specialist, we learn that creating the right RTW culture needs to be a continuous process - or else everyone pays.
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Good workplace culture fosters loyal employees who want to remain at their workplace.
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A code of ethics would have helped former return to work coordinator 'Layla' to educate injured workers and combat an investigate-happy manager.
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Employers don't have to bend over backwards to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. Just get flexible!
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Things in South Australia have gone from bad to worse.
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Remember how your mum taught you to turn lemons into lemonade? In this series of bite-sized articles, we make cookies out of conflict!
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A little disrespect goes a long way. Our work-obsessed PM takes time out mid flight to illustrate why we all need to work, rest and play.
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Workers' comp and RTW systems can exacerbate chronic pain, but as Coralie Wales from Chronic Pain Australia explains, that's not the end of the story...
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All too often, the Process Steamroller pushes stressed employees into the Chasm of Long Term Claims. We talk - seriously - with Dr Rod Gutierrez about the slapstick of occupational stress.
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We can't turn back the clock, but we can offer advice on how to minimise the impact of age on "work ability" in physically intensive industries.
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"Bad medicine" delaying RTW at your organisation? Our latest top ten will help sweeten your relationship with medical practitioners...
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A process-driven acrimonious workers' compensation system is a dark place - let's shed some light to turn things around.
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The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is moving in a positive direction, with new guidelines to help employees on long-term sickness absence return to work.
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Want some questions about depression at work answered? Check out our interview with Dr Fehmidah Munir, one of the UK researchers responsible for the Loughborough University's study into the role of depression in returning to work.
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Intuition Software's Paul Eastman gets technical, explaining the ins and outs of an underused resource - workers comp software.
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According to a new study to emerge from the UK, employers are squandering their workers' talents.
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Supervising return to work ain't easy...unless you've read our latest top ten!
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To help an employee return to work after a stress claim, our ten tips start with proactivity and care. Read on!
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In a presentation given at the 2009 Workers' Compensation Summit in Melbourne, Jackie Burke discussed vicarious trauma and how her workplace is helping employees combat its effects.
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HJ Heinz Australia takes injury management in-house with remarkable results
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A new UK report finds that RTW depression is widespread, even when physical illness is the reason for work absence. Employers can make a difference.
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Over the last 11 years, the rate of return to the pre-injury employer has been in decline. Last year, the rate of return to same duties also hit a new low. What's going on?
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Changes to your injury management system can help reduce claim duration.
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Do scheme funding improvements necessarily lead to improvements in RTW rates and duration?
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A tailored, best practice Health and Well Being program.
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Dutch occupational physician Frederieke Schaafsma describes a new Netherlands system of return to work that has seen the number of employees on long-term sick leave dramatically reduced.
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Take a look at the ten main points to emerge from RTW Matters' interview with Dr William Shaw from the US's Centre for Disability Research, Liberty Mutual.
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ACTU's national workers' compensation officer Jarrod Moran spoke at February's National Workers' Compensation Summit on 'Unions, workers' compensation and the way forward'.
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Employee engagement expert James Adonis speaks about his study of 2,400 employee, and how to retain employees and create a positive workplace environment.
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We talk trauma, recovery in the workplace and PTSD with Professor Mark Creamer from the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.
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What do injured workers want from their insurers? According to the 11th RTW Monitor, a good attitude goes a long way - and Queensland shows us just how far.
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After return to work coordinators expressed to us a lack of formal guidance in their role as coordinators, and - more specifically - the lack of a Code of Ethics - we set about developing one.
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Ms Jill Hall MP - Government Whip and erstwhile disability rehabilitation counsellor - gives us her perspective on reforms currently before the Senate.
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While others got excited about the Oscars, RTW Matters got wound up about the host of interesting speakers at this years Workers' Compensation Summit.
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Project Officer of the Nurses Return to Work in Hospitals Project, Julia Suban, talks about the particular barriers to return to work in nursing, and just how she hopes they can be overcome.
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Occupational Physiotherapist Dr Andrew Fischer is part of a pilot program designed to improve return to work outcomes for patients.
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We use the latest Comparative Performance Monitoring Report to take a look at how money is spent within Australia's workers' compensation system: and suggest that penny pinching is sometimes good for your health!
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A look at why money spent on researching health is money spent well.
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Productive employment probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of depression. But helping employees with depression stay at work is good for everybody. Our top ten tips show you how it's done...
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Simon Tatz, from the Mental Health Council of Australia, lays down the law about mental illness and inclusive RTW
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What's the best way to deal with stress in the workplace? Prevent it from ever occurring! Our ten tips show you how.
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Dr William Shaw takes us behind the (research) scenes at Liberty Mutual in the US.
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Techniques to cope with the emotional and physical symptoms of experiencing a traumatic event.
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Dr Geoffrey Waghorn tells us about the importance of employment for people with severe mental illness - and how it's best achieved by simple, everyday good management.
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What does "evidence based medicine" refer to exactly, and why should we care to know?
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Take this test to see if you or your employees are feeling how they ought to in the workplace. The test highlights the key factors in retaining star staff-members.
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This case study looks at a young man with a long career ahead of him and the reasons he will probably never return to his job.
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The 11th RTW Monitor highlights the 'make or break' role of supervisors and employers in RTW
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As we begin drafting a Code of Ethics to help return to work coordinators do their job, we invite you to get involved!
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In the second part of RTW Matters' interview with Occupational Therapist Kate Roylance, she discusses the counter-productive nature of many performance rewards.
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Occupational therapist Kate Roylance was very surprised that many of you responded that "Workplaces are too generous" in the last RTW Matters poll; we interviewed her to find out why.
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A look at the UK College of Occupational Therapists' new paper, "Vocational rehabilitation: what is it, who can deliver it and who pays?"
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A positive story of a long road back to a better life.
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Web based self assessment & exercise tool
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For men and women entrance to mid-life will affect them - at home and at work - in different ways. Occupational medicine can help.
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Words may not break bones like sticks and stones, but they can still do a lot of damage.
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In this interview with UK expert we learn that modern vocational rehabilitation is not about delivering an expensive service.
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A back to the basics look at getting it right from the beginning
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Teresa Coffey is a manager with Nabenet, training in the area of RTW. She speaks from experience and has lots of good advice to offer.
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Seventy work-sites to manage, different styles of management, a tough work culture, misconceptions about what's involved. Annette Photios had her work cut out when she stepped into her role.
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What do we mean by "workplace culture"? How to make sure it's "good" and what does "good" culture actually mean?
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Returning to work is good for your health, and in the UK there is a collective voice that agrees.
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Of all Australian work-related injuries, a large percentage can be categorised as musculoskeletal disorders.
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When a worker is physically injured, it isn't just the body that suffers.
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The path to return to work shouldn't have to be long and difficult
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Managing a stress claim
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Communication between GPs and occupational health professionals
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Employers can take action to beat the problem of stress before it even arises. This article looks at the benefits of stress prevention programs.
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Let's go back a few steps now, and take a look at how we can define the concept.
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An investment in occupational health, safety and welfare has paid dividends for a South Australian tuna farm.
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A newly established Adelaide group offers to provide support, counselling, guidance and a united voice, as well as lobbying against recent WorkCover reforms.
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Stress claims commonly build up over time, until the person reaches a point where they can't continue to ignore the issues.
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It's more important than ever to understand the factors that help and hinder cancer patients return to work.
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With dignity and respect, self-responsibility and supportive relationships, return to work after mental illness is achievable.
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Gabrielle Lis joins RTWMatters from the beach at Wilson's Prom
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Welcome to the first article in our five-part stress series. The series will look at exactly what stress is, how it affects individuals and communities, workplace prevention programs and how stress can be managed.
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In an interview with Wolfgang Zimmermann, Executive Director of NIDMAR, we learn the story of his special return to work, and hear how he's made a career out of helping others to do the same.
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Everyday words can take on different meanings when used by medical practitioners, but to what effect?
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When a heroin and alcohol addiction lead you to the darkest places you've ever been, what can bring you back to the light?
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The most tenuous relationships between a worker and their rehabilitation consultant are often those between a young female consultant and a middle aged male worker.
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For employers looking to increase productivity and reduce sick days, a workplace wellness program could be the answer.
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A chapter summary from the book 'Moving in on occupational injury' exploring the benefits of on-site medical presence.
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The final article in the motivation series looks at the strategies and techniques of motivational interviewing.
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A badly managed case of staff burnout highlights the importance of an integrated approach to return to work
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In the case of Mr S, a well managed return to work system saves an employer $$ and provides good outcomes for a worker with anxiety.
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Associate Professor Greg Murphy on rehab policy, RTW after spinal injury and rehab in rural communities.
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An interview with the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association's Jane Monk.
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The penultimate article in the 'Motivation Series' looks at Motivational Interviewing and the positive effects it produces in the Return To Work process.
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Introducing an elite sports model of injury prevention and management into the workplace is the key to reducing the frequency and severity of workplace injuries.
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What does it take to win an award in the challenging environment of complex injury management? One award winning provider gives us his tips and advice.
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Are you motivated to succeed or to avoid failure?
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The Cochrane Occupational Health Field gathers evidence on the effectiveness of occupational health interventions and publishes reviews. RTW Matters spoke with Coordinator Jos Verbeek.
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Hear from two return to work and rehabilitation experts with tips to help the rehab and RTW process.
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A young, fit worker develops back pain, is advised to rest and cut back activities. Three months later his back pain has not improved. Is rest really the best medicine?
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Ensuring those who don't need to be away from work get back as soon as possible is best for all.
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We don't talk enough about the poor outcomes associated with workers' compensation.
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A look at self-efficacy and how it can be maximised in patients.
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What are 'catastrophic injuries'? Why it is important to manage them well in the workplace, and how this can be done.
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Improving motivation is up to the employee and employer.
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October is Depressional and Anxiety Awareness month. RTW Matters speak with Clare Shann from beyondblue, the national depression initiative, about returning to work after depression.
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What helped Mario return to work after a car accident left him with quadriplegia?
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The different challenges Mario had to overcome to return to work after a car accident left him with quadriplegia.
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Trying to define motivation can be tricky, but let's give it a go.
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Return to work advice specifically for cancer survivors.
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How an employer and employee can do the right thing and yet have a bad experience too
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Since the earliest days of rehabilitation, the focus on return to work of injured clients has gradually declined . Today, the terms rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation are no longer synonymous. The downside of this has been lowered vocational ou
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Even if they want to it doesn't mean they can, even if they can it doesn't mean they will.
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The Boston College Centre for Work and Family has revealed that 70% of managers felt that productivity had been improved in those workplaces which had a good life balance.
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The six-part series continues. This time we look at the effect of a positive attitude towards rehab.
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The second half of Dr Dhir's doctor-patient communication insights.
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Prior to the onset of an injury a worker may often display a number of yellow flags, or warning signs, indicative of the injury occurring.
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In order to be truly engaged and contributing fully at work, there needs to be a work-life balance
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The first half of RTW Matter's interview with Dr Hari Dhir.
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The first installment in a six-part series of articles on Motivation in rehabilitation.
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Terminally ill patients are LIVING with their illness, and so deserve the same rehab attention as any other patient.
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In Part Two of this series, RTW Matters interviews Deanne to discover why she feels angry and let down.
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In this and subsequent articles on Deanne's case, we learn about her WorkCover journey and hear why both she and her employer is so distressed by the process.
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Survival to revival - energising rehabilitation. This is the name The Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors has given it's 2008 National Conference, to be held 10 September.
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(For surgically treated employees)
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Poetry, soccer and split infinitives.
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RTW Matters reasearch and features writer.
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RTW Matters Senior Writer.
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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 hours and no return to her pre-injury duties after two years
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Early detection and intervention are the keys when it comes to work-related stress.
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In an interview with communication consultant Sharon McGann we learn why communication is so important and how to do it better.
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Talking about your sleepiness, looking out for colleagues and good sleep routines: the final installment of the three-part sleep series looks at the keys to managing sleepiness in the workplace.
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An older worker develops frozen shoulder after a fracture injury. After several months of rehabilition her condition begins to slowly improve. But before long the same problem starts to develop in her other shoulder.
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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.
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Resources available to workers whose 2nd language is English are limited. Here's an opportunity to assist in improving this situation.
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From the Institute for Health and Productivity Management (IHPM)
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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 term rehabilitation program.
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From the 'People At Work - Managing Complexities' conference 2008, Adelaide.
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From the Institute for Health and Productivity Management.
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Cancer survivor John Stubbs talks about his journey back to good health and back to work, in a hugely important role.
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Interview with with Cancer Voices Australia executive director and cancer survivor John Stubbs.
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Part two in the sleep series addresses some common misconceptions about sleepiness.
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Cancer patients need thorough reviews post treatment so they can return to suitable working environments.
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Yes... but let's have a bit of fun while we're doing it.
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Mr X had been a 'journeyman' worker for many years before he developed a destructive and debilitating anxiety.
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Self effacing, warm, always positive - Mary Wyatt is a consumate professional dedicated to return to work.
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'Chris' was a carpet layer who worked in a small suburban firm.
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The importance of recognition and education in RTW after a mild traumatic brain injury and groups for whom the process is more difficult.
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Keep an eye out in the coming weeks as RTW Matters presents a three-part series of articles on sleepiness in the workplace. Here's part one.
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Researchers find that contagious yawning indicates empathy.
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RTW Matters' policy on humour.
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RTW Matters interviewed 57-year-old 'Sally', who went straight back to work after sustaining a shoulder injury. We learn what helped - and what didn't.
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What is a brain injury and how should it be managed?
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WorkCover improvements would benefit patients, practitioners, employers and the community.
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A fake sickie could land you in more trouble than it's worth
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A project manager develops an overuse injury and is still on part-time restricted duties after many months.
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Proactive management is crucial in facilitating a return to work for injured workers who are anxious
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 duration of restricted duties.
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An admin officer developed acute back pain after several weeks of 'niggling' soreness. Questioning the work relatedness of the back pain doubled the costs.
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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.
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A long standing employee sustained a significant knee injury at work. Effective coordination and rehabilitation would have changed his life.
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Workers' compensation and return to work plans have a longer history than you might think.
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Qualified assessors the key to determining disability pension eligibility.
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The way we think and process information can lead to avoidable errors.
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The evidence for and against some of the most common treatments for shoulder and elbow pain.
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Opening up lines of communication is essential in the return to work process.
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Studies show that workers are less likely to recover from illness or injury if they enter the compensation system.
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Denmark has in place a social system that keeps unemployment low, wages high, and job prospects flexible and secure.
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Sometimes employees need return to work assistance even while they're still physically in the workplace.
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Studies have now proven that positive psychology has a big impact. In the workplace it can keep employees happier and more motivated to return to work after an illness or injury.
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A quarter of working Americans suffer daily pain
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Paul Coburn talks about changing doctors' beliefs and practices, poor medical advice and the future of work disability managment.
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Great return to work practice is good for business! What's in it for you?
I'm new to the game
I know the ropes
I'm after ways to motivate my RTW team
I'm a rehabilitation provider
I'm a small business owner
I'm a doctor / treater in RTW
I'm a claims manager
I work in the life insurance industry
- Course in Functioning as a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator - Parkwood
- Role of a return to work coordinator (WorkSafe Victoria approved)
- UNDERSTANDING WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WORKERS COMPENSATION
- Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinators (low risk) - MOUNT GAMBIER
- Workplace Rehabilitation & Return to Work Coordinator
- Course in functioning as a Rehabilitation & Return to Work Coordinator
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