Return-To-Work Programs
The Return-to-Work program is a beneficial, pro-active approach to returning injured workers to a safe and productive work environment as soon as medically possible. It is designed to promote a worker's return to employability and ultimately, employment. It is a partnership involving workers, employers, health care providers and the YWCHSB. The goal is to minimize the impact of workplace injuries.
The principal goal of return-to-work programs is to rehabilitate workers so that they can safely return to work as soon as possible. A rehabilitation plan is developed with the worker to assist throughout the early return-to-work process or to assist the worker to become employable again.
The worker will preferably return to the same work with the same employer. If not, they may return to the same employer doing similar or new, suitable work. Otherwise, they may return to work for a different employer.
The program aims at preserving, as closely as possible, the worker's pre-injury earning capacity, at reducing the period of an injury, at reducing or avoiding the negative effects of long term absences from work, and at retaining the employment skills of the worker. It also helps to maintain the worker's contact with their co-workers and employer, to improve the disabled worker's physical, social and psychological well-being, and assists the worker in maintaining dignity and self-esteem.
Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board
