Articles

Helping supervisors promote RTW

Many organisations underestimate the impact supervisors have on return to work. The resources on this page describe the influence supervisors wield, with practical tips for maximising the positive impact of supervisors on injury management outcomes.

Burned by poor RTW management

contributorFrederieke Schaafsma

A badly managed case of staff burnout highlights the importance of an integrated approach to...

The Stress Series - Part 2

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Stress claims commonly build up over time, until the person reaches a point where they can't...

Habitat at Work (New Zealand)

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Web based self assessment & exercise tool

Top ten tips for preventing stress in your workplace

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

What's the best way to deal with stress in the workplace? Prevent it from ever occurring! Our...

A sneak peak at some ground-breaking research

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Dr William Shaw takes us behind the (research) scenes at Liberty Mutual in the US.

Top ten tips to help employees with depression

contributorGabrielle Lis

Productive employment probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of...

Let's introduce mental health first aiders in the workplace.

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Want some questions about depression at work answered? Check out our interview with Dr Fehmidah...

Top ten tips for super smooth supervising of RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

Supervising return to work ain't easy...unless you've read our latest top ten!

Returning to work? Ten tips to help you survive the system!

contributorGabrielle Lis

Getting back to work after illness or injury can be daunting. Stick to our top ten, however, and...

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...

Overloaded employees underperform

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

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

To schmooze or not to schmooze?

contributorGabrielle Lis

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

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...

How YOU can take charge of RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

A fact sheet for injured workers.

Signs of employee disengagement

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Advice on how to bite the signs of disengagement - before they bite you

Three attitudes that WON'T help return to work

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Not yet a RTW pro? A tip: avoid these three attitudes when dealing with an injured worker.

Invisible injury

contributorGabrielle Lis

When it comes to "invisible injury", what you CAN'T see CAN hurt you--and your RTW prospects....

Q&A CONFIDENTIALITY

contributorGabrielle Lis

Shh! The low-down on confidentiality, return to work and workers' comp.

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...

Office ergonomics

contributorTom Barton

Keep your workers happy, healthy and productive! Find out why ergonomics is important and then...

"How do I find meaningful alternate duties?"

contributorTom Barton

We respond to a common RTW Coordinator question.

Job Rotation - 1

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

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

Job Rotation - 2

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Overcome the common barriers and ensure employee buy-in.

Job Rotation - 3

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Implementing job rotation.

Supervising wellbeing

contributorGabrielle Lis

How do managers and supervisors impact the mental and emotional wellbeing of their team? Is it...

Top ten tips for preventing long term claims

contributorGabrielle Lis

Changes to your injury management system can help reduce claim duration.

Good RTW processes: What's in it for ME?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Six reasons why getting return to work right is worth YOUR time and effort.

Learning from the Vet

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Getting in touch with connectedness

eLearning: Musculoskeletal troubles

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

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

Dealing with the victim mentality

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

In response to a reader's questions, our resident Occ Phys explains how to encourage a proactive...

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...

Role Summary: Co-workers

contributorA. Richey

An injured individual who feels supported and confident with work colleagues has a better return...

Role Summary: Senior Management

contributorA. Richey

Senior management provides leadership for the team and sets the tone for the rest of the...

Role Summary: Return to Work Coordinator

contributorA. Richey

Effective RTW coordinators play a vital role in injury management and prevention. It's neither a...

On Being a Company Doctor

contributorDr James Crompton

Dr James Crompton discusses the challenges and rewards of working as a company doctor.

Webinar recording: Supervisors and co-workers, vital but often overlooked links in RTW

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

This webinar explores evidence on how supervisors and coworkers can influence RTW, and how to...

Role Summary: Supervisors

contributorA. Richey

While the employee has the greatest influence over return to work outcomes, supervisor input is...

Supervisors apathetic about RTW?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Six apathy-busting tips for when supervisors just don't seem to care about managing RTW.

Case study: everyone has a role to play

contributorStefanie Garber

Employers and supervisors are key components of the return to work process. Without their...

Video presentation: Participatory ergonomics

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

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

Case Study: Injured, but not at work. What to do?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Workers with injuries sustained away from work may be tempted to protect their financial...

When you suspect an employee

contributorA. Richey

Joe Unreliable and Jane Dodge have lodged claims for workers' compensation. How should you...

Top ten easy steps for improving workplace culture

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Good workplace culture fosters loyal employees who want to remain at their workplace.

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...

Video presentation: Introduction to ergonomics

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

This introduction to ergonomics introduces the basic principles of ergonomics and why you'd want...

Influence: Stop talking! Four keys to listening

contributorCarolyn Mounce

To be heard is a powerful experience, and for your claimant it will make them feel safer, more...

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...

Suspicious Minds

contributorGabrielle Lis

Tips for supervisors who have their doubts about a worker's injury or compensation claim.

Early intervention and good communication: everyone's responsibilities. The top points from the Dr William Shaw interview.

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Take a look at the ten main points to emerge from RTW Matters' interview with Dr William Shaw...

Why train supervisors and line managers in return to work?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

A Powerpoint presentation on the whys and wherefores of supervisor training in RTW management.

Trouble communicating? Stop talking: Listen!

contributorGabrielle Lis

A quick guide to the advantages and basic techniques of active listening.

Examining supervisor competencies and return to work

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Competencies supervisors need to affect positive RTW outcomes for workers suffering...

Q&A: The first five minutes

contributorGabrielle Lis

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

Tension before and after an injury

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

A cost analysis of workplace culture and its impact on return to work