One of your employees has been seriously injured.  If you have thought out your plan of attack in advance, chances are that you will be much more successful in controlling the consequences of the injury.  The benefits of prior planning cannot be overstated!

First, get prompt medical attention. Poor or delayed medical care may save you in the short run, but long term costs include lost productivity, decreased employee morale, and potential litigation. 

Second, a Return to Work program (RTW) is critical if you want to close claims quickly and save insurance costs.  Our PEO’s services are particularly valuable if your workforce is small and opportunities to move a worker to another temporary position just do not exist.  A PEO may be able to place your employee temporarily with another client. 

Take advantage of all of the resources that exist for helping you get your employee back on her feet. These include the employee’s physician, your insurance carrier, and our Human Resources Department

Bear these four important considerations in mind as you implement your Return-to-Work policy:

1. Continue to communicate with all of the team members involved, including the healthcare provider and the insurance carrier.
2. Document in writing all of your efforts to provide the employee with work alternatives.
3. Treat the injured employee respectfully.
4. Keep your employee in contact with rehabilitation professionals who understand what he or she is going through physically and psychologically.