Return to Work Programme

A graduated Return-to-Work Programme is for employees unable to perform their normal or customary job functions due to illness or injury. The programme is designed to provide such employees with a smooth, timely transition from the time of injury to full recovery by assigning them with graduated tasks during the recovery period.

The first step is for the treatment provider (e.g Physiotherapist) to provide an assessment of the employment situation and determine the tasks the employee is, and is not, capable of performing. Work rehabilitation is for an individual following injury and takes into consideration their personal characteristics, biomechanical and psychological parameters before designing individualised strengthening and proprioceptive exercise programmes.

Often the Return-to-Work Programme is proceeded, in conjunction with, or followed by an Activity Based Programme or Work Preparation Programme which are funded by either ACC or Accredited  Employers, and are all designed to reach the ultimate goal of attaining the recovery necessary to return to full pre-injured occupational status.