Return to work: A guide to help you start the conversation with your injured worker

Early contact produces better outcomes

63%  

Better outcome for psychological injuries.

26%  

Better outcome for physical injuries.

Research shows that when contact is made with an injured worker in the first three days post-injury, their return to work outcomes increase substantially – up to 63% for psychological injury, and 26% for physical injuries.

Start the conversation

It’s not easy to know what to say, or when to say something after a workplace injury has occurred, but it is essential to get the conversation up and running early so that your injured workers feel valued and supported.

Opening the lines of communication early after a workplace incident, whether psychological or physical, can make the return to work process easier for both you as an employer, and the injured worker.

The cover image of the latest 'The sooner the better' publication.

The sooner, the better

The sooner, the better is a guide to help you start the conversation with your injured worker, and will give you some tips and references to further help in the critical return to work journey.

Because the sooner you act, the better the return to work journey for both you, and your worker.

Download the guide

Watch the videos

Return to Work – the sooner the better (physical injury)

Return to Work - the sooner the better (psychological injury)

A few words can make a big difference

Chris Williams, Arboriculture Services Officer, was seriously injured at work in May 2016. While recovering, Chris said the simple things like receiving a text message from a colleague were all it took to make his day. This is his story.

A male injured worker sitting at a table in the home. He is speaking on the phone.

Information to help your return to work

WorkSafe has a range of information to help you, your injured worker, or your family member during their recovery from a work-related injury.

All return to work information

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