Center for Human Resources
Workers’ Compensation

Return-to-Work Guidelines

For Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Policy and Procedures

San Diego State University has a commitment beyond our legal obligation to provide our employees who incur an injury or illness on the job with the best possible recovery program. A key component of this program is to establish processes and procedures for returning the employee to work at the earliest date medically possible. This document describes the university’s procedures for returning an employee to work who has been injured on the job.

The university will make every attempt as legally required to provide temporary work tasks tailored to the abilities of employees who are injured on the job. All alternative and modified job assignments will be structured to meet the capacities and therapy needs of the injured employee. This work is often referred to as “light duty” or “modified” work. Such assignments are temporary in nature and are monitored by the supervisor and Risk and Workers’ Compensation Manager. Job restrictions, as defined by treating physicians, are strictly adhered to.

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Definition of Modified Work

The university defines “modified work” as temporary assignments within an employee‘s abilities, knowledge and skills. These positions are developed using the employee’s abilities/restrictions as determined by the employee’s treating physician. They may also include responsibilities and tasks taken from the employee’s regular job, when the employee cannot perform full duties.

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Communication Regarding Return to Work

The employee shall inform the physician of the university’s return to work guidelines. An employee is required to provide a doctor’s release to duty form to their immediate supervisor upon returning to work or within 24 hours, whichever is sooner. Additionally, all ill or injured workers must complete an “Employees claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits”,  (DWC-1) form. The Risk & Workers’ Compensation Manager will forward the claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits to our adjusting company. The Risk and Workers’ Compensation Manager will communicate with the medical provider regarding any work restrictions.

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Roles and Responsibilities

Risk and Workers’ Compensation Manager

1. Establish clear, consistent return to work guidelines
2. Ensure that the university’s return to work guidelines are uniformly followed
3. Maintain close communication with the injured employee throughout the recovery process
4. Report all workers compensation claims to our adjusting company in a timely manner
5. Follow up with medical providers and employees regarding prescribed therapy and recovery process
6. Ensure job restrictions are fully adhered to
7. Work closely with our adjusting company to ensure all benefits are paid timely

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Immediate Supervisor

1. Report job injuries to Risk and Workers’ Compensation Manager in the Center for Human Services within 24 hours of knowledge of injury
2. Understand and adhere to the university’s injury reporting procedure and return to work guidelines
3. Ensure that employees released to modified work are working within the job restrictions
4. Ensure that employees receive a thorough return to work orientation and that they understand the university’s return to work guidelines
5. Report any absences related to the work injury to the Risk and Workers’ Compensation Manager
6. Maintain close communication with the injured employee throughout the recovery process

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Injured Employee

1. Immediately report all injuries, no matter how slight, to your immediate supervisor
2. Inform your medical provider of the university’s return to work guidelines
3. Return to work following medical treatment and report to your immediate supervisor
4. Provide your supervisor with the return to work form from your doctor
5. If it’s not medically possible to return to work, report to your supervisor via phone immediately following your medical evaluation
6. Report to work in your temporary or modified job assignment following a temporary modified job offer by the university
7. Follow your medical provider’s recommendations with respect to established work restrictions, limitations, therapies and physical capacities
8. Return to your normal work assignment as soon as your medical provider deems it is safe

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Monitoring the Return to Work Plan

Modified and alternative jobs are temporary in duration, and subject to regular re-evaluation. The treating physician will address any restrictions if applicable, upon each medical appointment. Upon receiving additional information, the university will re-evaluate its ability to provide temporary, modified work and to increase or decrease the assigned tasks, based on the restrictions outlined by the physician.

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Last updated August 15, 2007
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