Injured workers get help to get back to work

VWA Announcement - April 9, 2002 Injured workers get help to get back to work.

Mr Bob Cameron, has today launched a new campaign aimed at improving
return to work outcomes for Victoria’s injured workers. He was joined by
the CEO of VECCI, Mr Neil Coulson, and Trades Hall Assistant Secretary,
Nathan Niven, along with the CEO of the Victorian WorkCover Authority,
Bill Mountford.Mr Cameron said the time for better injury management
had come with more than 30,000 Victorians being compensated for
workplace injuries each year. “This information campaign introduces
new return to work guidelines which come into effect on July 1 this year
and are designed to ensure injured workers receive the support they need,”
he said. “A CD-ROM will be sent to 180,000 Victorian employers and all
employers will be encouraged to learn more about their return to work
obligations through print, radio and television advertisements.

“The campaign features an injured worker frustrated and stuck at home
just wanting to be back at work.“The message to employers is to work with
their injured worker and treating doctor and develop a return to work plan
as soon as possible. “On top of the moral obligation to do the right thing by
an injured worker, there is a strong financial, business and legal case to do so.
“Employers who actively support a worker’s recovery will benefit from improved
staff morale, retain job skills and stem productivity losses. “Further more,
improved health outcomes and return to work results lead directly to lower
premiums and reduced claim costs.” VECCI CEO, Neil Coulson, welcomed the
return to work guide as an initiative that will help employers meet their obligations.
“We have an enormous opportunity to improve our return to work rates in
Victoria,” he said. Trades Hall, Assistant Secretary, Nathan Niven also
commended the guide and employer CD as an easy to use source of practical
advice. “It is in everyone’s interest for workers to get back to work as soon as
possible. “Trades Hall and affiliate unions look forward to developing return
to work plan enforcement protocols with the VWA to back up the clear
commitment to returning injured workers to work,” he said.Victorian WorkCover
Authority Chief Executive, Bill Mountford, said employers had always had
obligations to their injured workers but under the new return to work laws the
specifics of those obligations had been made clearer. “We’re doing this to help
improve average return to work rates in this state,” Mr Mountford said.
“By July 1 employers must meet basic standards in occupational rehabilitation
policies, individual return to work plans for injured workers and risk
management programs. “After an injury, the best results are achieved
if workers have regular contact with their workplace and a plan is put
in place early to help get staff back to work as soon as medically possible.”