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1. Purpose and Objectives

These procedures enact the Work Rehabilitation Policy and outline the entitlements and responsibilities for the rehabilitation of workers.

2. Definitions, Terms, Acronyms

WIM - Work Injury Management

Suitable duties - duties developed to assist staff to safely return to work following injury or illness.

University - The University of Queensland

Worker The Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld) defines a  worker as a person who—

  1. works under a contract; and
  2. in relation to the work, is an employee for the purpose of assessment for PAYG withholding under the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cwlth), schedule 1, part 2-5.

Please note that this definition of worker differs from the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld).

3. Procedures Scope/Coverage

These procedures apply to University workers with an accepted workers' compensation claim. 

4. Procedures Statement

Work Rehabilitation at the University must comply with the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act  2003 (Qld), regulations, and associated guidelines.

Work rehabilitation is the process of getting workers back to work safely and in line with medical advice specified by their treating doctor or medical specialist. Rehabilitation can also involve receiving treatment from a registered health practitioner (e.g. physiotherapist, podiatrist, and dentist) or provision of aids or equipment approved by WIM, who administer the University’s self-insurance workers’ compensation scheme. Experience shows that being back at work is an important part of recovering from a work related injury.

With respect to a notice of claim for damages (NOC), consideration should be given to rehabilitation and return to work, as per legislative amendments of October 2013.

5. Key Features

The key features of work rehabilitation include:

5.1 Rehabilitation program

The Rehabilitation Adviser works with the worker, their supervisor and their treating doctor for development of the rehabilitation goals and program and the suitable duties plan. All documentation, including case notes and relevant correspondence, is kept on a confidential rehabilitation file.

The provision of rehabilitation services is timely and appropriate having regard to the injury, the goals of the rehabilitation plan, and the worker’s rate of recovery. 

As the rehabilitation program progresses it is evaluated by the Rehabilitation Adviser in conjunction with the worker, their supervisor and the treating doctor.

Rehabilitation focuses on return to work, however if the injury is so severe that a return to work is precluded, rehabilitation may then focus on maximising independent functioning.

5.2 Suitable duties plan

Work duties are selected to match the worker’s capacity for work, in accordance with medical guidelines that may be provided by their treating doctor.

A suitable duties plan including a graduated schedule of hours and duties is often a part of the work rehabilitation program.

Where a graduated schedule of hours is applied, the organisational unit pays wages for the hours worked and WIM supplements their pay according to a formula prescribed in the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld).

Progress in performing the suitable duties plan is regularly reviewed by the Rehabilitation Adviser in consultation with the worker and supervisor. Generally suitable duties plans may extend for up to three months. Reassessment of the rehabilitation program can result in continuation of suitable duties beyond the three month duration. 

6. Entitlements for Work Rehabilitation

6.1 Worker

  • To be actively consulted during the work rehabilitation process, and in particular, regarding any proposed change in employment conditions and/or work organisation
  • To involve a union representative or other person of choice at any time
  • To be treated by the treatment providers of their own choice
  • To be provided with copies of all documents related to their work rehabilitation management if requested
  • To access a review of the rehabilitation program in the event of any disagreement over the work rehabilitation process
  • To provide feedback regarding their work rehabilitation program through the Work Rehabilitation Worker Evaluation form

6.2 The University

  • Make enquiries about the worker if they are absent from work for significant periods because of injury or illness, and obtain appropriate medical certification for illness or injury
  • Determine, in consultation with the worker and their medical advisers, whether a work rehabilitation program is indicated
  • Require the worker to attend a medical examination with a medical practitioner of the University's choice for the purposes of assessing or reviewing the worker’s condition
  • To determine, on objective performance measures, whether the worker is fit to undertake suitable duties in relation to the work rehabilitation program

7. Responsibilities for Work Rehabilitation

7.1 Worker

  • Provide appropriate medical certification for illnesses or injuries and facilitate communication between the Rehabilitation Adviser and their treating medical practitioner regarding work rehabilitation planning
  • Comply with reporting procedures outlined in section 8 of this document
  • Co-operate with the development of, and participate in, a work rehabilitation program
  • Take reasonable steps to ensure their recovery by complying with the suitable duties plan at work, and not undertaking activities, including those after work hours, which may hinder the recovery process
  • Report on their progress at regular intervals as required
  • Advise their supervisor and the Rehabilitation Adviser immediately if their condition becomes worse, and inform them of any changes in their treatment
  • Cease any task which adversely affects their condition and report the problem immediately to their supervisor and the Rehabilitation Adviser
  • Submit all certificates and reports relevant to the work rehabilitation program
  • Attend any medical examination arranged by the University for the purpose of assessing or reviewing their condition

 7.2 Rehabilitation Adviser

  • Develop, maintain and review rehabilitation systems
  • Ensure written consent has been provided for liaison with the worker’s treating health professionals (refer to Application for Worker's Compensation form that is obtained from WIM)
  • Ensure early contact with the worker
  • Communicate in writing with the treating doctor
  • Maintain confidentiality of information contained in the rehabilitation file
  • Develop the rehabilitation goals and program in consultation with the worker and their supervisor, and seek approval from the treating medical practitioners
  • Ensure that the worker’s suitable duties plan is understood and coordinated by the supervisors and if appropriate, co-workers
  • Oversee the management of the worker's rehabilitation
  • Conduct regular reviews of the worker's rehabilitation program i.e. goals, rehabilitation strategies, time frames and progress
  • Provide expert advice for file review meetings
  • Ensure that the worker’s rehabilitation focuses on work, however if the injury is severe, then rehabilitation must be focused on maximum independent functioning
  • Monitor and evaluate rehabilitation and return to work services
  • Liaise with the case manager regarding rehabilitation strategies
  • Maintain work rehabilitation program records as confidential, other than for the purposes of liaising with the head of organisational unit, supervisor for the purpose of a successful return to work
  • Educate all levels of staff about the University's Work Rehabilitation policy and procedures
  • Inform the worker of their entitlement to formal review of the rehabilitation process and referring requests for formal review to the Manager, Work Injury Management

7.3 WIM Case Manager

  • Maintain a current copy of the worker’s rehabilitation program on file and ensure its confidentiality
  • Integrate the strategies of the worker’s rehabilitation program with the overall case management plan
  • Make referrals, as appropriate, to the Rehabilitation Adviser
  • Communicate claims management issues to the Rehabilitation Adviser and discuss possible modifications to the rehabilitation program
  • When appropriate, monitor rehabilitation activities
  • Ensure that rehabilitation providers are paid promptly for their service

7.4 Supervisor

  • Ensure the early reporting of the injury in accordance with the University Injury, Illness and Incident Reporting Procedures (PPL 2.10.07)
  • Assist in the development and implementation of suitable duties programs for workers under their responsibility
  • Ensure that the conditions agreed to in the suitable duties program are met, and that the program is complied with
  • Monitor the day-to-day progress of the worker on suitable duties programs

7.5 Head of the organisational unit

  • Ensure that workers for whom they are responsible are aware of the University's Work Rehabilitation policy and procedures
  • Ensure that the responsibilities of themselves, the injured or ill worker and the supervisor have been met with respect to these procedures, particularly with regard to the Work Injury, Illness and Incident reporting procedures (PPL 2.10.07)
  • Ensure that all recommended modifications to the worker's workplace and duties are made, where practicable, without delay. Where it is not practicable to implement such recommendations, the head of organisational unit must notify the University Rehabilitation Adviser
  • Employ, where practicable, temporary workers as required to maintain the organisational unit’s essential operations and to ensure that unreasonable workloads are not imposed on others
  • Ensure that all those concerned are aware of, and observe any work restrictions which apply to a worker on a suitable duties plan
  • Encourage an attitude of co­operation and support amongst other members of the organisational unit during the work rehabilitation period

8. Injury Reporting

PPL 2.10.07 Workplace Injury, Illness, Incident and Hazard Reporting - Procedures outlines the steps that you must take in order to report your work-related injury or illness.

It should be noted that this does not replace the need for workers injured at work, or with a work-related illness, to complete an application for workers' compensation should they wish to make a claim. Claim forms are available from Work Injury Management, Occupational Health and Safety Division.

Custodians
Director, Health, Safety and Wellness Mr Jim Carmichael