1. Instructions for viewing the Early Return to Work slideshow Press the right arrow key to go to the next slide. Press the left arrow key to return to the previous slide.

2. Early Return to Work: For the Injured Worker This presentation is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the statute, Division rules or procedures.

3. Your Recovery focus on getting well. Your first step after an injury at work is to focus on getting well. normal routine Another important step in your recovery is to get back into a normal routine - which includes your job - as soon as possible.

4. Texas Department of Insurance return to work The Division of Workers Compensation can help give you the information you need to safely return to work.

5. Early Return to Work regular job You want to be able to return to your regular job as soon as possible. But, your injury may keep you from being able to go back to it right away. So, you may have to change your job a bit…

6. Early Return to Work When your injury keeps you from being able to go back to your regular job right away, your return to work might be described as: Light duty Light duty Modified duty Modified duty Alternate duty Alternate duty Transitional work Transitional work

7. Early Return to Work This may be a temporary change to your regular job such as: Modified duties Shorter hours, or Work that is entirely different* * due to physical abilities or limitations or required skills

8. Benefits of Early Return to Work Have better and faster recovery Are more likely to have a job to go back to Remain active and productive Retain job skills Retain company benefits Get support from your co-workers while you heal

9. Stay in Touch… With your doctor

10. Your Doctor It is easy to stay in touch with your doctor through your appointments: Go to your doctor appointments, and Follow your doctors recommendations for recovery

11. Your Doctor talk to your doctor about going back to work. Take advantage of your appointments and talk to your doctor about going back to work. dont have to be completely recovered You dont have to be completely recovered to go back to work – you might be able to go back while you are healing.

12. Your Doctor Tell your doctor about: What you do in your regular job Other jobs in the company (that you dont normally do) that you might be able to do temporarily This will help you and your doctor figure out what work you can do safely.

13. Stay in Touch… With your employer

14. Your Employer From the time you are first injured, call your employer regularly to let them know how you are doing. are interested This helps your employer know that you are interested in going back to work when the doctor says it is safe for you.

15. Your Employer When the doctor says that you can go back to work, talk to your employer and let them know what kind of work the doctor thinks you can do safely. while you are healing. Many companies have early return to work programs and will try to let you come back to work while you are healing.

16. Your Employer If the doctor tells you that you cant go back to your regular job right away, ask your employer: If they can modify your job duties/hours, or If there are any other jobs in the company (that you dont normally do) that you might be able to do temporarily.

17. Working together… It takes everyone working together to make early return to work happen - which is good for everyone. You get the benefits of working and returning to a normal routine, Your doctor is successful in helping you improve enough to return to work, and Your employer has an experienced employee back at work.

18. You, your employer and your doctor are the three main parties involved in early return to work. Other parties that may be involved are: Working together… Insurance carrier/adjuster Attorneys Private rehabilitation services Other state agencies (such as Texas Rehabilitation Commission)

19. Dont Give Up! Although sometimes it may seem difficult, dont give up. If you follow these steps, then you should be on your way back to your normal routine – both at home and on the job.

20. Dont Forget! Focus on getting well Talk to your doctor Keep in touch with your employer: Supervisor, Human Resource Department, or Other point of contact with your employer Work toward returning to your regular job, full-time Dont give up!