Duties of employees, supervisors and managers

A PULSE on-line training module is available for Supervisors Responding to Staff Injury or Illness in the Workplace – Training for Supervisors

Employee

• Take part in the return to work process.
• See your Doctor on or before the review date as specified on your medical certificate.
• Provide your original medical certificates to your case manager and a copy to your Supervisor.
• Advise your Supervisor and case manager if you cannot attend work during the graduated return to work (GRTW) plan.
• Advise your Supervisor, case manager and provider in a timely way of any worsening of your condition.
• If you cannot attend work because of your compensable injury you must have a doctor's medical certificate to claim compensation for the absence.
• Complete required forms in a timely manner.
• Advise your Rehabilitation Case Manager if you wish to take leave during a GRTW plan. 

Supervisor

• Foster a supportive workplace that encourages safe work practices and early reporting of injuries.
• Advise the case manager as soon as you become aware of an injury. 
• Make sure steps are taken to prevent further injury by understanding the cause of injury and putting safeguards in place.
• Keep in close contact with the injured employee, be supportive and identify the assistance available to allow a return to work - the case manager will coordinate this process.
• Work with the case manager to identify suitable duties and provide ongoing support. 
• Consider changing the way work is done or modifying the work environment. 
• Be involved and contribute to the development of the return to work plan for the injured employee and promptly let the case manager know if you, the injured employee or co-workers have any concerns along the way. 
• After the injured employee has returned to work, work with them to make sure the outcome is sustained.

Senior Manager

• Show your commitment to effectively implementing the University's rehabilitation policy.
• Develop a workplace culture that prevents injury and supports injured employees. 
• Make sure your case managers receive support from the organisation to fulfil their role and succeed with early intervention. 
• Stay up-to-date with the University's return to work performance reports and track your organisation's claim costs/return to work outcomes and pinpoint any problems. 
• Review and improve the effectiveness of the University's return to work strategies.

Rehabilitation Case Manager

• Initiate, co-ordinate and monitor the rehabilitation process in consultation with all parties. 
• Decide if an assessment for a return to work program is needed, particularly when an employee is likely to be away from work for more than 10 days (s36 of SRC Act). 
• Organise a return to work program if necessary-you may need to contract an approved rehabilitation provider to develop the return to workplan (s37).
• Actively manage the approved rehabilitation provider to make sure a quality and cost-effective program is developed. 
• Put any decisions you make about a rehabilitation assessment or return to work plan in writing to the employee. 
• Actively manage the rehabilitation program to make sure the return to work is successful. 
• Work with the supervisor and approved rehabilitation provider to make sure the injured employee is given suitable employment (s40). 
• Make sure the University complies with the rehabilitation guidelines for employers (s41).

Workplace Rehabilitation Provider

• Provide expert, objective advice to the case manager to assist the timely, safe and durable return to work of an injured employee.
• Provide a prompt response to referrals and other requests. 
• Engage the injured employee, treating doctor and supervisor in the development and implementation of a tailored return to work plan. 
• Actively monitor the return to work plan and regularly talk with all parties to make sure the goals are achieved. 
• Make sure you comply with s34E of the SRC Act 1988,  Operational standards for rehabilitation program providers.