Getting hurt on the job may damage your confidence in your ability to work in the days and even weeks after, yet you still want to return to employment as soon as you can. So if your employer contacts you with an offer to return to work, you should feel confident in how you respond.
The possibility of getting back to work can be a positive development as long as you look out for your interests when deciding how to proceed.
Evaluate the nature of the work
Pay attention to what your employer is offering. You might not receive your old job back. Instead, your employer could offer you some modifications to your old work duties. This is a possible outcome if your doctor determines you need restrictions on your work tasks while you recover. Your employer could also offer you a completely different job.
No matter whether your job is your regular job or a modified or alternative job, your employer should provide you with work that you can reasonably commute to from your home at the time you got hurt, plus the employment should last no less than 12 months. Also, an alternative or modified job must pay you at least 85% of your wages and benefits at the time of your injury.
If a job offer does not meet your work restrictions, you may bring your doctor’s evaluations to the attention of your employer so you can get appropriate work. Additionally, your employer cannot require you to work if your doctor says you cannot perform any work at all.
Respond as promptly as you can
Keep in mind that you will probably have limited time to accept your employer’s offer. No matter whether you get your old job back or different work duties, you might only have 30 days to provide a reply. Otherwise, your employer may withdraw the overture.
A refusal to respond could have consequences for your benefits as well. Should you fail to make a reply to an offer for alternative or modified work, you may lose out on supplemental job displacement benefits.
Never feel you must rush back to work, though. The state workers’ comp system is for your benefit, so evaluate your options carefully so you know how to start earning wages again while taking proper care of your health.
