Return to Work Programs are a critical element of a businesses organisational structure and culture; and are legally required of any NSW employer irrespective of their size and industry. The Guidelines were overhauled in 2019 and recently reviewed in 2021, with new guidelines in place since the 1^st March 2021. These guidelines follow a trend of being more easily understandable to the lay employee, and aim to keep workers engaged and active in the return to work process post-injury, as well as helping employers retain skills and knowledge to meet their legal obligations under several key pieces of legislation. The Return to Work Program also offers an opportunity for an employer to communicate and demonstrate their ambition to be an employer of choice which, in today’s tough labour market, is an opportunity to have a competitive advantage over industry competitors. It is expected these plans are developed in line with the 2021 requirements; and are reviewed every two years in consultation with key internal stakeholders.

In order to develop a sound understanding on best-practice development of a Return to Work Program, the team at Saunders Safety & Training have worked closely with the regulator (State Insurance Regulatory Authority) as well as other safety and people risk experts. Upon doing this, we have been able to deliver comprehensive Return to Work Programs to our clients that have received glowing reviews from both regulator and employer.

If your business requires assistance in this area, please reach out to our team today on (02) 9958 9009 or info@saunderssafety.com.au