8442.02 - RETURN-TO-WORK PROGRAM

Cabell County Schools

Bylaws & Policies

8442.02 - RETURN-TO-WORK PROGRAM
POLICY

The Cabell County Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees. Preventing injuries and illnesses is our primary objective.

If an employee has a work related injury, the Cabell County Board of Education will accommodate all reasonable restrictions and return the injured employee to modified or alternative work as soon after an injury as possible. This will be done by temporarily modifying the employee’s job or providing the employee with an alternative position. The employee’s medical condition along with any limitations or restrictions given by the attending physician will be considered as a priority when identifying the modified/alternative position. Employees are not eligible for overtime while they are assigned modified/alternative positions. If an employee is not able to return to their usual and customary duties within thirty (30) days, a complete re-evaluation of the situation shall be made in cooperation with the workers compensation insurance carrier, the treating physician, and the employee.

PURPOSE

This program is intended to provide our employees with an opportunity to continue as valuable members of our team while recovering from a work related injury. We want to minimize any adverse effects of an on-the-job injury to any of our employees and return the injured employee to their original job. This program is intended to benefit an injured employee by promoting a speedy recovery while keeping their work patterns and income consistent. The company shares in the benefits by keeping our employees on the job and getting to utilize their knowledge and experience, thus contributing to the overall productivity of our business.

SCOPE

This program applies to all employees of the Cabell County Board of Education.

DEFINITIONS

	A.	Work Related Injury – Is defined as an injury to the employee that occurs while s/he is engaged in the performance of his/her employment duties.
	B.	Modified Positions – Is defined as a person’s normal work responsibilities that have been changed or "modified" to meet restrictions that have been assigned by the treating physician. All modified positions are considered "transitional positions" and are designed to help the injured employee return to their usual and customary duties as soon as possible.
	C.	Alternative Positions – Is defined as work responsibilities that are not the normal responsibilities assigned to an employee, yet are responsibilities that are within their job classification and meets the restrictions that have been assigned by the treating physician. All alternative positions are considered "transitional positions" and are designed to help the injured employee return to their usual and customary duties as soon as possible.
	D.	Supervisor – Is defined as the immediate person whose responsibility it is to monitor and evaluate the work, or his/her designee.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Cabell County Board of Education

		1.	All injuries and the duration of related transitional work duties will be handled by Cabell County’s Workers Compensation Coordinator and Safety Manager.
		2.	The Safety Manager and Workers Compensation Coordinator will act as a liaison between the Cabell County Board of Education, the injured worker, the attending physician, and the West Virginia Worker’s Compensation Commission.
		3.	Cabell County School’s Workers Compensation Coordinator will make sure that all paperwork and forms have been properly handled and submitted to the appropriate parties.
		4.	Cabell County School’s Safety Manager will monitor the modified or alternative work and gather any additional information that may be needed to properly handle the return to work activities.

All Managers and Supervisors

		1.	In the event of an injury, the manager or supervisor will make sure that the injured employee receives first aid, or if necessary, proper medical treatment.
		2.	If possible, the manager or supervisor will accompany the employee to the treating physician or medical facility.
		3.	The attending physician shall be notified on the first visit that the Cabell County Board of Education has a return to work program and that modified or alternative work will be provided.
		4.	The manager or supervisor will work closely with the Cabell County School’s Safety Manager to coordinate the return to work efforts and will be responsible for introducing the employee back into the work place in the modified or alternative position.

Employees

		1.	If an injury occurs on the job, the employee is required to report the injury to their manager or supervisor immediately.
		2.	If medical treatment beyond first aid is required, an employer representative will accompany the employee to the medical clinic or treating physician (whenever possible). The employee’s physical restrictions and limitations will be discussed amongst the treating physician, the injured employee, and the manager or supervisor to facilitate return-to-work.
		3.	If able, employees are expected to return to the worksite the very SAME day to report the physician’s findings and to discuss modified or alternative work. If medical treatment occurs in the evening or at night, then the employee should report the physician’s findings on the next work day. This will enable all parties to be kept abreast of the employee’s condition.
		4.	Once an employee has returned to work, it is their responsibility to work within the physical limitations that the physician has specified.
		5.	The employee shall only perform duties assigned to them and shall immediately notify their manager or supervisor of any difficulty in performing those duties.
		6.	The employee must notify their manager or supervisor in advance of any medical appointments. Leave will be allowed for medical appointments associated with an on-the-job injury.
		7.	The employee shall keep their manager or supervisor informed of the recovery process and their ability to perform modified or alternative work.

	D.	Everyone
		If anyone involved in this process has questions or concerns, please talk to your manager or supervisor. Unasked questions can lead to confusion.