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Employer RTW Toolkit

Basic requirements for Return to Work (RTW) strategies at every workplace:

We all work hard to keep our employees happy and safe while they are at work. Accidents and injuries at work sometimes happen and when it does your employees look for support and guidance on the Workers Compensation process. Do you have the knowledge, skills and resources to support them?

Are you ready to support their safe Return to Work? 

There are certain procedures and guidance material employers are required to have in place and documents and templates based on best practice principles. These resources are designed so you are prepared and ready to support your employees in a safe, sustained and efficient recovery following their injury. 

Hospitality industry insurance has developed a series of documents that assist employers through the Workers Compensation process and be ready to support their employees. These documents are bundled into two toolkits; for small employers, and for medium to large employers. These toolkits are aimed at giving employers some guidance on: 

  • reporting and notifying injuries 
  • locating suitable duties or employment options whilst your employee recovers from their injuries
  • documenting their road to recovery 
  • tools to help identify flags or roadblocks to recovery 

All you need to do is download the resources from our free toolkit and modify the documents to suit the operation of your business.

  • Small employers (less than 20 employees)
    RequirementFunctional PurposeRegulatory BasisTrinity comment/supportResource
    RTW program Category 2A RTW Program is a document that outlines the policy and procedures relevant to a worker sustaining an injury and minimum requirements to lodge and manage a Workers Compensation claim.WIM Act 1998                    
    • Section 52    		Trinity recommend all employers use the template provided by SIRA as a minimum standard. In addition, SIRA have developed Guidelines for workplace return to work programs to assist employers developing their RTW Program.a
    “Have you been injured at work” posterEmployers are to provide their workers with relevant information required so workers understand the process should they look to lodge a Workers Compensation claim.WIM Act 1998                    
    • Section 231                    
    WIM Regulations                    
    • Clause 39    		The NSW Government has provided a poster which covers all the relevant information required. Trinity clients are encouraged to download the poster, fill in the relevant details and display at their workplace for workers to view and access.a
    Suitable duties ListA list of suitable duties that injured workers can use as returning to health at work is criticalWIM Act 1998                    
    • Section 49    		Trinity will provide a list of generic suitable duties as guide for what you might be able to find within your Venue or puba
    Recover at Work planEmployers are required to offer suitable work duties to a worker whilst they are recovering from an injury, in as far as what is reasonably practicable. A Recover at work plan (formally return to work or suitable duties plan) is a document that communicates this obligation.WIM Act 1998                    
    • Section 49    		A Recover at Work plan outlines the goal for their recovery at work, the duties to be completed, hours to be worked, functional demands, and sign off by relevant parties. Trinity have templates available to employers. SIRA also have generic templates that can be downloaded from their website.a
    Early warning signs of possible roadblocks to recoveryThis simple document is based on common issues that are often flags or roadblocks to recovery. Identifying these flags early and setting an appropriate action plan can assist the injured worker to remain on a positive path to recovery. This document is a guidance document that is particularly useful for new Return to Work Coordinators, or Return to Work Coordinators that don’t manage and support Workers Compensation processes on a regular basis. It provides triggers to open conversations on potential roadblocks to recovery and therefore realigning strategies to meet these changes.a
  • Medium and large employers - 20 employees or more
    RequirementFunctional PurposeRegulatory BasisTrinity comment/supportResource
    RTW program Category 1A RTW Program is a document that outlines the policy and procedures relevant to a worker sustaining an injury and minimum requirements for an employer to lodge and manage a Workers Compensation claim.Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation (WIM) Act 1998                    
    • Section 52    		SIRA have developed Guidelines for workplace return to work programs to assist employers developing their RTW Program. Trinity have developed templates based on these guidelines to support Venues in meeting this obligation. Templates can be downloaded from our website, or our WHS portal HIISafe.a
    SIRA RTW Coordinator TrainingA RTWC is a trained person responsible for managing the employer’s requirements under the Workers Compensation legislation. In addition to training, a RTWC must meet the requirements set in the SIRA RTW Guidelines and follow the set requirements outlined in the employer’s RTW Program, policy and procedures.WIM Regulations 2016                    
    • Clause 19 (1)                    
    • Clause 19 (4)                    
    SIRA RTW guidelines    		Whilst the type training required of a RTWC is not specified in the guidelines, Trinity encourages all employers to complete the online SIRA course. This gives specific information on what SIRA as the regulator requires of them. Trinity recommend completing the course again as a refresher if you have not managed a claim in the last 2 years. Whilst the RTWC training highlights the roles and responsibilities of the RTWC, we encourage senior management to be aware of these roles and responsibilities to ensure they support their RTWC to achieve the best RTW outcomes for the business and its injured workers.a              
    a
    Recover at Work planEmployers are required to offer suitable work duties to a worker whilst they are recovering from an injury, in as far as what is reasonably practicable. A Recover at work plan (formally return to work or suitable duties plan) is a document that communicates this obligation.WIM Act 1998                    
    • Section 49    		A Recover at Work plan outlines the goal for an injured worker recovery at work, the duties to be completed, hours to be worked, functional demands, and sign off by relevant parties. Trinity have templates available to employers. SIRA also have generic templates that can be downloaded from their website.a
    An introduction pack for the Nominated Treating Doctor (NTD)An introduction pack is a small collection of documents prepared for the worker to take to their NTD to open the communication lines with the NTD and encourage a safe and early return and recovery at work. 

    An introduction pack is a small collection of documents prepared for the worker to take to their NTD. They generally include:

     

    • Introduction letter
    • A job description and/or functional Job Description
    • Details of the RTWC
    • Outline of potential duties available
    • A proposed Recovery at Work plan
    		a
    Treating Doctor Contact checklistIt is important for the Return to Work Coordinator to initiate and maintain regular communication with the treating doctor. This checklist will help build a collaborative relationship and gather and share important information regarding the injured worker’s recovery and return to work (RTW).a
    An introduction pack for the treatment providerThis introduction pack is a small collection of documents prepared for the worker to take to their treatment provider. The purpose of this pack is to open the communication lines with the provider, encourage safe and early return and recovery at work, for the provider to have a clear understanding of the preinjury role, and set appropriate treatment goals that reflect the functional demands of the preinjury role. 

    An introduction pack is a small collection of documents prepared for the worker to take to their treatment provider. The generally include:

     

    • Introduction letter
    • A job description and/or functional Job Description
    • Details of the RTWC
    • Outline of potential duties available
    • A proposed Recovery at Work plan
    		a
    Early warning signs of possible roadblocks to recoveryThis simple document is based on common issues that are often flags or roadblocks to recovery. Identifying these flags early and setting an appropriate action plan can assist the injured worker to remain on a positive path to recovery. This document is a guidance document that is particularly useful for new Return to Work Coordinators, or Return to Work Coordinators that don’t manage and support Workers Compensation processes on a regular basis. It provides triggers to open conversations on potential roadblocks to recovery and therefore realigning strategies to meet these changes.a