Best Practices for Return to Work Detailed in DMEC Report

To help control the rising cost of occupational accidents and injuries, the Disability Management Employers Coalition (DMEC) released a white paper identifying best practices for helping employees successfully return to work following disability leave.

The best practices outlined in the report include:

• Adopt an integrated disability and absence management strategy, and provide more consistent procedures for both work-related and non-work-related situations;
• Encourage employees with chronic conditions to participate in company-sponsored programs designed to help improve their health;
• Standardize and document the accommodation process required by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act in a user-friendly way; and
• Implement a structured transitional work program that can provide return to work options and accommodate modified-duty assignments for both occupational and non-occupational cases.