 |
 |
| Learn to Return |
| It's good for workers and it's good for business |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WELCOME!
|
 |
|
The new and improved Learn to Return has arrived. Welcome to the June 2011 edition of WorkSafe’s Return to Work news.
Your feedback is important to us. So whether it's a topic you'd like covered, reader feedback, or a worker's success story, email us. Your return to work success story can help inspire others. Even if it's been a difficult journey, we'd like to share it.
This month one lucky reader will win a $50 Coles Myer voucher simply by writing in.
NOTE: We apologise if you have received this newsletter in error. Please reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line if you received this letter in error or no longer wish to receive these updates.
|
| |
| ^ Back to top |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Sharing your stories gives you, your workplace and your injured workers the opportunity to be featured by WorkSafe.
Even if it’s been a difficult journey, return to work stories can help inspire others.
Email us by June 20 for the chance to be showcased during our upcoming return to work media campaign.
|
| |
Print this article
Forward this article
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
A range of useful return to work tools will soon be delivered to your inbox.
The tools are designed to help you meet return to work obligations and assist injured workers to return to safe work as soon as possible after an injury.
The templates, checklists and forms are all completely customisable.
|
| |
Print this article
Forward this article
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
2011 Employer RTW Networks calendar |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Check it out here!
FREE WorkSafe Victoria Return to Work Networks provide Return to Work Coordinators with practical support and information.
Return to Work Coordinators share and learn from each other as well as from highly experienced guest speakers.
See the upcoming network events at a glance.
Northern Region
Topic: RTW Inspectors
Date: Tuesday 21 June
Venue: Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre
REGISTER HERE
Melbourne CBD
Topic: RTW Compliance
Date: Thursday 7 July
Venue: WorkSafe HO, Exhibition St
REGISTER HERE
Southern Region
Topic: RTW Compliance
Date: Thursday 21 July
Venue: Punthill Dandenong (new venue)
REGISTER HERE
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
A new online RTW community has been established on the professional networking website, LinkedIn.
Read more | | | | | | |
| |
|
|
| |
Like you, we’re committed to keeping Victorian workplaces the safest and healthiest in Australia. That’s why we’re going local, bringing you up to date with the latest news and developments.
The one hour sessions are FREE and running throughout Victoria in June. To check locations, dates and book
(This information session is different to the RTW Network Events.)
|
|
Print this article
Forward this article
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
WorkSafe endorsed Return to Work Coordinator Training
Return to Work Management Training
International Return to Work Certification Program – first Australian exam!
Find out more about these training opportunities.
RTW Coordinator training
We've updated our two-day Return to Work Coordinator training course to reflect recent changes to the Accident Compensation Act and WorkSafe’s new return to work Compliance Codes. Attending this course is the quickest and easiest way to find out how the legislative changes affect your business – and get lots of practical advice to effectively manage the return to work process.
You can register for training here or contact a training provider for course dates.
RTW Management Training
This Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) online training program gives you essential skills to assist injured workers back to work. It’s tailored to benefit Return to Work coordinators, supervisors, team leaders, managers and providers of rehabilitation and return to work services.
For more information or to apply for study in 2011, click here.
International RTW Certification Programs
PIEF holds the exclusive Australian licence to the International Disability Management Standards Council's (IDMSC) certification programs for injury management and return to work professionals.
The Certified RTW Coordinators (CRTWC™) designation is for Return to Work Coordinators.who work internally at an organisation or externally as a provider and seek certification of their status.
The Certified Disability Management Professionals (CDMF™) training is aimed at injury management advisors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, occupational health and human resource professionals and other practitioners dealing with the rehabilitation of injured workers seeking certification of their status.
The CDMP and CRTWC exams will be held on Thursday 9 June 2011 in Melbourne and Sydney. Applications to undertake exams for these certifications are now open.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
March 2011 - Marvie Villaruz and Kathy Withers at the first CBD Employer RTW Network
Alexandra Quaglieri and Kairstien Wilson at the first CBD Network
February 2011 - Western Employer RTW Network in progress
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our first ever Return to Work Forum
|
 |
|
In March over 500 guests attended WorkSafe’s first ever Return to Work Forum in Melbourne. Attendees included clinicians and Return to Work Coordinators, all considering the day's theme, "Is return to work really good for your health?"
International academic, Professor Dame Carol Black, presented her groundbreaking UK research on the crucial health benefits of work.
Read more | | | ^ Back to top | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doctors agree: Work is good for your health!
|
|
|
Work is good for our health, while long absences from employment can make us miserable doctors say.
Leading Australian and New Zealand health care and medical bodies have signed a Consensus Statement to promote the health benefits of work – and they say long breaks away from work have a negative impact on wellbeing.
Read more | | | ^ Back to top | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW Return to Work Compliance Codes
|
|
|
Return to Work Compliance Codes provide practical guidance to employers (and hosts) about how to comply with their obligations under the Accident Compensation Act. It is not mandatory to comply with a Code, however, those who do will be deemed to have complied with their relevant obligations under the Act.
Click "Read More" to see what's new about the way these codes deal with your obligations.
Read more | | | ^ Back to top | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of Accident Compensation Act transition period
|
|
|
On 1 July 2010, new return to work legislation became effective. A transition period to give employers time to familiarise themselves with the new requirements operated from that date to 31 March 2011.
During this time, either of the following actions deemed employers compliant with their obligations under the Accident Compensation Act:
- Claims received before 1 July 2010 - employers needed to be clearly complying with either the previous or current return to work obligations in this period.
- Claims received on or after 1 July 2010 - for all matters involving a worker’s incapacity for work (regardless of the date the claim was received), employers needed to comply with the current return to work arrangements.
From 1 April 2011, all employers must fully comply with the post 1 July 2010 return to work obligations for all claims.
For further advice on these requirements, please contact your Agent or the WorkSafe Advisory Service.
|
|
|
Print this article | Forward this article
|
|
| ^ Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Labour hire and return to work
|
|
|
Labour hire workers, also known as on-hire workers, are paid by a labour hire employer but work at organisations referred to as ‘hosts’. A host includes a person who hires an apprentice or trainee employed by a group training organisation.
Labour hire employers and hosts each have legal responsibilities to protect the health and safety of workers, as well as return to work obligations.
For more information, read our fact sheet on labour hire and return to work or download the relevant for practical guidance on your obligations.
|
|
|
Print this article | Forward this article
|
|
| ^ Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New: Real life return to work stories
|
|
|
In this edition, we're starting a new series of return to work stories. Please email us if you have a story to share!
PENNY'S STORY: A model return to work
Kindergarten teacher Penny Vojtec’s shares her return to work story. Watch Penny's Story, which debuted at WorkSafe’s recent Return to Work Forum in Melbourne.
MICK'S STORY: Return to work discrimination
Mick’s story has been provided by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Right Commission It’s been adapted from a real-life case and shows how to avoid return to work discrimination.
Read more | | | ^ Back to top | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RTW Coordinator Profile
|
|
|
INTRODUCING: Rosemary Sacristan
Training and Development Manager, Huhtamaki
Who do you work for?
I work for Huhtamaki. We produce egg packaging, fruit trays and wine bottle carriers. We have approx 70 employees in the Preston Australia site which is a combination of office staff, maintenance, warehouse and production.
| | | ^ Back to top | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your Questions Answered
|
|
|
Some of your recent return to work questions answered:
QUESTIONS:
Q1: Can the Certificate of Capacity be submitted in any format and still be acceptable to Agents to ensure the injured worker continues to receive weekly entitlements?
Q2: If the worker quits their job and then puts in a claim, does the employer have to hire them back in order to meet their return to work obligation?
Q3: What should an employer do if the worker puts in a claim but then quits during the 52 week obligation period for the employer to provide suitable employment and plan the worker’s return to work? Does the employer still need to meet their obligations?
Q4: If the worker moves interstate after putting in a claim, does the employer still have to meet their return to work obligations?
Q5: How is the employer 52-week return to work obligation period calculated?
ANSWERS
Read more | | | ^ Back to top | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Copyright
The information contained on this “Learn to Return” e-newsletter is Copyright of the Victorian WorkCover Authority (WorkSafe) unless expressly stated otherwise. Comments and enquiries should be directed to rtw_networks@worksafe.vic.gov.au
Disclaimer
The information presented on this “Learn to Return” e-newsletter is intended for general use only. No claim is made as to the accuracy, currency or authenticity of the information contained on this “Learn to Return”
e-newsletter at any time. No person should rely on the information contained on this “Learn to Return”
e-newsletter without seeking independent professional or legal advice which takes account of their specific circumstances.
This “Learn to Return” e-newsletter may contain material prepared by third parties and/or links to other websites. Such material and/or information does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Victorian WorkCover Authority (WorkSafe). WorkSafe makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or any other aspect of material prepared by third parties, nor the information contained on linked sites. WorkSafe therefore does not endorse or recommend such material and/or information.
WorkSafe does not accept liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person resulting in any way from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained on this “Learn to Return” e-newsletter, including any material prepared by third parties and/or information contained on linked sites, and extends no warranties as to actions taken by third parties as a result of such information.
Important information:
- The Victorian WorkCover Authority (WorkSafe) collects personal information to enable us to perform our functions. For more information about the use, access and disclosure of this information, refer to our privacy policy at our website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.
- Please consider the environment before printing.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
