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.

What is a RTW coordinator?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Jack of all trades? Conjurer of motivation and modified duties? Piggy in the middle? We lay it...

Suspicious about a claim at your small business?

contributorGabrielle Lis

There are three golden rules for small business owners who doubt the work-relatedness of an...

Highway to hell?

contributorRosemary McKenzie-Ferguson and Gabrielle Lis

What's it like to enter the workers' comp system as an ill or injured worker?

Anxiety Q&A Part 2: The costs

contributorGabrielle Lis

In part two of this three part series, we look at the personal, economic and work-related costs...

Back Pain & RTW

contributorCheryl Griffiths

Everything you need to know about back pain and RTW in one hit!

Communicating with "The System"

contributorRosemary McKenzie-Ferguson and Gabrielle Lis

Workers struggle to listen and be heard. How does this affect them?

Anxiety Q&A Part 1: The basics

contributorGabrielle Lis

Understanding anxious employees is the first step in helping them maintain their cool and remain...

Fact sheet: PSYCHO WHAAT? PSYCHOSOCIAL!

contributorGabrielle Lis

The most common barriers to RTW are "psychosocial". Getting to know them makes it possible to...

Bullying in Australian workplaces: Q&A

contributorGabrielle Lis

Bullying is bad for workplace health and bad for RTW. How widespread is it, and how does it...

Dealing with downsizing

contributorGabrielle Lis

A quick guide to minimising negative impacts of downsizing on workers' comp claims and return to...

Who at your work would make the best RTW coordinator?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

How do employers know who is the right staff member to delegate the role of RTW coordinator?

Strategic planning - how can I and why should I?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Arranging resources helps to achieve long-term workplace objectives. Here's how to make injury...

RTW relationship hurdles 2: Doctors and employers

contributorGabrielle Lis

Hurdling with a briefcase is tough, so why not dismantle RTW relationship barriers before they...

RTW relationship hurdles 1: Doctors and employers

contributorGabrielle Lis

Part One - What are the barriers to good doctor / employer relationships?

Juggling RTW and performance issues?

contributorGabrielle Lis

These practical industry insights will save you from having to grow an extra pair of arms...

"Getting back is the best"

contributorHeather Millar, SA

Aged care worker, Donna Taylor, remains positive by taking on an admin role following an injury...

Motivational mojo medicine

contributorGabrielle Lis

RTW motivation can be hard to muster...Unless you've had your dose of the RTWMatters...

Stalled RTW?

contributorGabrielle Lis

This simple checklist will help you pinpoint the problem and jump start the process.

Why base rehab in the workplace?

contributorGabrielle Lis

If you're having trouble convincing injured or ill workers that early return to work is the best...

To schmooze or not to schmooze?

contributorGabrielle Lis

There's no question about it, injured workers need special treatment. Employers, here are ten...

Overloaded employees underperform

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Why it's worth noticing when employees feel overloaded - and what you can do about it.

How to recognise if you're "in the zone" at work

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Missing the zing in your step? Here's some help to refresh at work and steps to getting in the...

6 simple apathy busters

contributorGabrielle Lis

Supervisors apathetic about RTW? You gotta bust that apathy ASAP!

Top ten things to avoid in RTW

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg and Gabrielle Lis

Maximise the chances of great RTW outcomes by avoiding these bad boys.

Only know the bare bones about arthritis?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Flesh out your arthritis knowledge with a to-the-point briefing paper...

What do RTW Professionals need to know about CBT?

contributorGabrielle Lis

The basics of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and how it can be used to resolve difficult RTW cases.

The human face of WorkCover: from truckie to carer

contributorAnne-Marie Taplin, senior writer WorkCover SA

Senior writer with WorkCover SA shares a great case study that shows RTW is always worth the...

Who gets involved in modifying duties - and how?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Who has control over organising modified duties in your workplace - and what are the pros and...

I'm a RTW Coordinator and my work won't listen to me!

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

What approaches can you take in the all-too-common situation of needing to convince others that...

What skills do I need as a RTW Coordinator?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

And how do I get those skills? Are they the same for Coordinators in companies of all sizes?

Q&A: The first five minutes

contributorGabrielle Lis

What happens in the first five minutes after injury affects health outcomes and costs. And your...

Seeking: a doctor who talks and listens

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

How to recognise doctors who are good communicators - and why it's in your interest to seek them...

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...

Won't stand for another work risk?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Fair enough - but you might not want to take this RTW news sitting down.

Sprains and strains causing RTW pain?

contributorGabrielle Lis

How-to Guide: Using modified duties to promote durable return to work.

Asleep on the job

contributorGabrielle Lis

Missing a tram stop is the last thing fatigued workers should be worrying about. Try diabetes,...

Conflict Cookie #4: Making the most of conflict

contributorGabrielle Lis

Conflict driving you crazy? Use it to drive innovation...