Two construction workers look at a smartphone.

When an employee is injured on the job, one of the first questions both the employee and the employer ask is when they can get back to work.

The workers’ compensation claims process is carefully designed to guide injured workers through their recuperation with the goal of getting them back on the job as safely and as quickly as possible. Today, technology plays an important role in optimizing this effort.

"Our customers experience a 30% decrease in lost work time with the use of supporting technology," says Bonnie McCaig, director of claims at Kinetic Insurance, which is a win for all parties.

The benefits of a strong return-to-work program after an employee is injured

Having a return-to-work program that is well thought out and executed offers many upsides, and the first is ensuring the health and wellbeing of the injured workers. After that, the list goes on.

Maintain productivity

"When you bring experienced employees back to work, you can maintain your productivity, reduce turnover and save the time and money that would have been spent hiring and training someone else," notes McCaig.

Employees retain their skills

The likelihood an injured employee will ever return to work decreases daily, so time is of the essence. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the chances of returning to work decrease to 50% after a 6-month absence. When employees can get back to work quickly, they retain their valuable skills, are able to keep their earnings and benefits, and have a reduced financial burden after the injury.

Improve employee retention

There are some softer benefits of having a strong return-to-work program for the employer, too.

"It also demonstrates that employers care their employees, which has a positive impact on retention and loyalty," McCaig adds.

Formalizing the return-to-work process

To achieve these many benefits, it’s essential to be organized.

"A structured return-to-work program is really going to be important," says McCaig. "Consistency is critical. If there is not a standardized process or structured program, employees do not know what to expect or what their responsibilities are, which can delay return to work, increase claim costs and litigation exposure."

Organizations that don’t have structured return-to-work programs are exposing themselves to the possibility of prolonged claims, higher risk and litigation. In fact, return to work has the largest impact on indemnity exposure. If the injured worker declines a valid light-duty offer, indemnity benefits may be in jeopardy in many jurisdictions. This can prompt early resolution and better claim outcomes.

Common obstacles to a smooth transition

While the benefits of having a top-notch return-to-work program are many, it can be challenging for employers to implement them.

Limited staff and/or knowledge

Middle-market companies have limited staff and are juggling many responsibilities. They may not have the expertise or bandwidth to get a program up and running.

"It can be overwhelming," admits McCaig. "A lack of understanding of the related regulations can lead to errors, putting a business at risk."

Choosing the right partners

The right partners can make all the difference for businesses struggling to get their return-to-work programs up and operating. McCaig says Kinetics’ partnership with Nationwide means they can offer insureds the resources they need to thrive.

"Don’t underestimate the value of a good insurance partner," says the owner of a delivery service provider who works with Kinetic. "I could’ve gone cheaper, but I stuck with a carrier that had strong claims support. The right relationships—on both sides—can make or break your business."

Leveraging technology to optimize return-to-work outcomes

As a partner of Nationwide, Kinetic offers tools and resources to guide their partners through the return-to-work process, and that includes technology solutions.

"A holistic approach using technology, wearables, software, and claims management strategies, such as Kinetic’s Rapid Return-to-Work (RRTW) program, can significantly benefit a business," notes McCaig. "Doing so can improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance employee well-being, and increase overall productivity."

Kinetic’s RRTW program is a fully developed, tech-driven solution that guides users through the return-to-work process, from creating job offers aligned with employees’ specific needs through light duty work and back to their regular roles. This streamlines the return-to-work process while meeting all jurisdictional requirements.

Finding the right partner for your return-to-work program

Businesses, large or small, benefit from having the right experts by their side to guide them through workers’ compensation claims and the return-to-work process.

"A return-to-work program is more than a nice thing to do," says McCaig. "The evidence strongly supports a significant ROI by providing a supportive pathway to full recovery with tangible benefits to the employee and employer."

Partnering with a return-to-work expert can help businesses understand the practical and economic advantages of prioritizing and investing in a well-structured return-to-work program.

"It’s well worth the effort to make this investment," says McCaig, "and it’s going to pay off in the long run."

Learn more about Kinetic Insurance

Kinetic Insurance is a Nationwide program partner that helps brokers offer competitive workers’ compensation with built-in safety technology. Learn more about Kinetic Insurance here.

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