300827
Stay at Work/Return to Work: A Win-Win for Workers and Employers?
The idea that more aggressive efforts are necessary to keep workers injured on the job at work or returned to work (SAW/RTW) is increasingly widespread and seemingly uncontroversial. This study was undertaken to evaluate the assertion that current efforts to promote SAW/RTW is universally beneficial, particularly for injured workers.
Methods
Proponents of the SAW/RTW strategy were identified through a search of websites and publications. Their strategy for improving RTW/SAW was elucidated through analysis of materials written by proponents. The strategy, and the ideas behind it, was assessed for its impact on injured workers. Two state examples of RTW/SAW were discussed to illustrate SAW/RTW in practice.
Results
Proponents of SAW/RTW are, for the most part either directly employed by businesses, or consultants to business. Proponents stress the role physicians and injured workers play in promoting disability among injured workers. The role employers and insurance carriers play in this process is rarely recognized.
Conclusions
The strategy proponents of SAW/RTW advocate primarily serves corporate interests. In order to safely return to work, injured workers need safe jobs to return to, and employers willing to accommodate their specific needs. Given the economic downturn, global competition, a large pool of un and under-employed workers, and the ability of employers to socialize the costs of occupational injuries injured workers have a very difficult time reintegrating into the workforce. In this context the efforts of SAW/RTW proponents will serve to deny injured workers benefits or keep them working at jobs that worsen their health.
Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safetyLearning Objectives:
Explain health risks associated with returning to work or staying at work when injured or ill from work-related illness
Identify and analyze workplace/employer strategies for return-to-work with regard to impact on worker health
Assess social contexts influencing return-to-work practices and injured worker accommodation.
Keyword(s): Occupational Health and Safety
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a practicing occupational medicine specialist for over 25 years and am the medical director of an occupational health clinical center with two satellite offices covering 26 counties in upstate New York. I am a professor of family medicine and have extensive experience in occupational health outreach, education, prevention, and patient advocacy.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.