Article provided by Selective Insurance Group Inc.
A RTW program is part of a customer business strategy to retain valued employees and to enhance the productivity of the workforce. The longer an employee is off work, the less likely he or she is to return. Bureau of Labor Statistics research indicates that after six months of absence from the job, there is a 50-50 chance of that employee returning to work. After one year the chances of successfully returning to work drop to 10%.
Why should employers consider a Return to Work Program (RTW)?
The answer is simple. It is the single most effective way to reduce claim costs and, depending on the number of employees our mutual customers have, one might actually be a requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In 2008, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act, (ADAAA), which clarified and broadened the way courts interpret a “disability”. ADA Title I requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related opportunities available to others. If the employer unreasonably refuses to accommodate the injured worker, the ADA would allow a discrimination lawsuit by the employee against the employer. A well-designed and managed RTW program, therefore, is critical in assisting the employer is meeting certain requirements under the AADAAA. Even if an insured doesn’t meet the ADA threshold for the number of employees, a RTW program is still highly recommended.
To find out what the two essential elements to all successful Return to Work programs are, read the full article HERE
If you have further questions about Return to Work Programs, contact any of the FBinsure Risk Advisors at 800-734-6604
