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.

Want a RTW rate of 92%?

contributorAntonia George

How honesty, realism, a community-ethic and targeted splurging set one health and rehab...

Bring body, breath AND mind to work

contributorChristine Paul

Most of us do not think about consciously connecting our mind with our body, breath and soul;...

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...

Life in the slow lane

contributorElizabeth Quinn

The pace of return to activity after an accident or injury is dictated by more than just...

Coaching for chronic health

contributorAntonia George

When a health insurer offers support after a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, Antonia...

Teaching WorkCover claimants to sell themselves

contributorElizabeth Quinn

In pain, low in confidence, and down at heart: it can be a hard slog to get back into the...

Common law: Jackpot or jinx?

contributorGabrielle Lis and Dr Mary Wyatt

This fact sheet for workers considering a common law claim outlines pros, cons and survival tips.

The RTW Coordinator from Hades!

contributorAntonia George

In this case study a process and profit focused RTW Coordinator impedes the return-to-work of an...

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...

Asking assertively

contributorGabrielle Lis

Know what you want from people at work, but not how to get it? Learn how to talk the talk, and...

Musculoskeletal injuries and mental illness

contributorGabrielle Lis

Many Australians experience a mental disorder while also suffering from a musculoskeletal...

Nice one, Mercedes!

contributorAntonia George

Missing out on early intervention puts an end to this cleaner's night job, but doesn't stop her...

Styles of communication

contributorGabrielle Lis

Passive. Aggressive. Assertive. How does your professional communication style affect your...

Sunny side down

contributorGabrielle Lis

Is it possible to have too much optimism? And what's the best approach to take when you're...

Managers VS workers

contributorGabrielle Lis

Hang on! Isn't RTW supposed to be all about the love? We count down ten ways to improve tetchy...

Sunny side up

contributorRTWMatters team

What is optimism? How is it good for health? When is it wise, in professional life, to get your...

Trust: Dos and Don'ts

contributorGabrielle Lis

You know organisational trust has tangible benefits. Now for the hard yards: how can you foster...

Walk this way

contributorTom Barton

Finding it hard to move your company on workplace wellbeing? Run these case studies by them and...

Reducing cancer in the workplace

contributorTom Barton

Implementing primary prevention policies can reduce your workers' risk of developing cancer.

The heart of RTW

contributorShannon McLaughlin

In this dispatch from the desk of a RTW Coordinator, a stint as a claimant brings a whole new...

Stigma and mental illness

contributorGabrielle Lis

What is stigma? What are some consequences of stigma? How might stigma manifest in the...

The costs of cancer

contributorTom Barton

Cancer is the most widespread chronic disease in Australia. We look at 10 tips for supporting...

Make no bones about it

contributorTom Barton

The Australian Government has made arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions national health...

Mind power

contributorGabrielle Lis

Psychologist Colin Thompson introduces us to Mindfulness Therapy, which has been shown to assist...

Worried about the ageing workforce?

contributorGabrielle Lis

We corral five notorious porky pies about work and ageing and pit them against the fast-draw facts.

Dealing with diabetes

contributorTom Barton

Diabetes is Australia's fastest growing chronic disease and affects 7.5 per cent of the...

The patient's mouth

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Getting the information you need to facilitate RTW shouldn't be as painful as pulling teeth -...

Separating stress and chronic pain

contributorTom Barton

Stress makes chronic pain worse, and worsens RTW outcomes. Here are 10 ideas to help alleviate...

Signs of suicide

contributorTom Barton

How to look out for and deal with signs of suicide in your workplace.

Take this health message to heart

contributorTom Barton

Avoid heart disease with this fact sheet and our top tips for a healthy workplace.

Adventures in leadership

contributorGabrielle Lis and Dr Mary Wyatt

Read Mary's guide to fearless RTW Coordination leadership, then take up our Choose Your Own...

Tongue-tied?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Ten tips to loosen your tongue and ease your mind when that big presentation looms.

Premium troubles?

contributorTom Barton

We chat to Michael Simpson from OccCorp about how you can reduce your premium AND meet your...

Breathing easy

contributorTom Barton

Asthma is the leading chronic disease in Australia. This briefing paper covers the basics, as...

Chronic disease snapshot

contributorGabrielle Lis

In Australia and globally, preventable chronic diseases are on the rise. What does this mean for...

Run off your feet?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

RTW Coordinators who manage time well do better. What are the secrets to good time management?

Fact sheet: Plantar fasciitis

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Painful inflammation of the heel and foot.

Determined to RTW

contributorHeather Millar, writer, WorkCover

A truck driver with a recurring knee injury doesn't let setbacks keep him out of the cabin in...