May 7, 2009 - Injured employees and the community are carrying the majority of the costs of work-related injury and disease in Australia, says the report released last month by the Australian Safety & Compensation Council. This report puts the costs of work-related injury and disease at $A57.5 billion, or 5.9% of the country’s gross domestic product, with the burden on workers at 49% and the community at 33%.
Another report, prepared for The Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities last year, shows one in four injured workers throughout Australia and New Zealand believe that management do not do enough to get them back to work. Statistics show that these workers were less likely to have a durable return to work, compared to those who found those involved in the RTW process to be helpful.
In light of these facts, Dr Mary Wyatt, Occupational Physician and Editor of Return to Work Matters, an online resource and network for employers and return to work professionals, believes a code of ethics for those coordinating the return to work of an employee would go a long way to ensuring that workers feel they are treated fairly and are supported to return to work in whatever capacity is appropriate.
"Research shows time and again that returning to work where appropriate, helps with the workers recovery and in turn reduces the
ongoing financial and emotional costs to them, their employer and the community" says Dr Wyatt. "What’s good for the employee is ultimately good for
all stakeholders and so we need to change the way we think about return to work and create positive partnerships that focus on what’s best for the
ill or injured person".
Dr Wyatt and Anna Kelsey-Sugg, assistant editor, are currently drafting the code based on material collected from experienced RTW coordinators and injury managers. A copy of the latest draft has been forwarded to a number of unions and rehabilitation associations for comment and contribution.
Return To Work Matters encourages knowledge sharing and invites contributions and feedback from RTW coordinators, rehabilitation providers, employers, employees and related associations. A copy of draft can be accessed through the site or by contacting AnnaKelseySugg@rtwmatters.org.
Return to Work Matters is guided by people who have for decades taken leadership roles in occupational medicine, return to work facilitation, policy development and professional network support.
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