Return to Work Review
Definition
A supervisor can request a Return-to-Work Review in order to determine whether or not an employee with a disability is able to return to work.
Application
A supervisor should request a Return-to-Work Review through Labor and Employee Relations. If appropriate, the Labor and Employee Relations analyst will then contact Disability Management Services to conduct this review.
Typically, Disability Management Services' Return-to-Work Review will involve the following:
- Meet with the employee to learn the history of the case and discuss options;
- Obtain written permission from the employee to communicate with the medical provider;
- Communicate with the medical provider to ascertain return-to-work information;
- Communicate with the department to determine if accommodations can be made for any work restrictions;
- Communicate with the department to determine if alternative work, based on the work restrictions, is available within the department;
- Assist the employee to search for alternative work within the entire University, if the employee's department is unable to accommodate the work restrictions. Please see the Priority Reassignment section for further details.
Once the Return-to-Work Review has been completed, Disability Management Services will provide a written report to Labor and Employee Relations detailing the services provided to the employee during this process. Labor and Employee Relations will then issue a report offering final recommendations and options to the employee's department.
Supervisor's Checklist
- If a supervisor is interested in requesting a Return-to-Work Review, the supervisor should contact Labor and Employee Relations to determine the appropriateness of such a request.
- If appropriate, Disability Management Services will become involved
and will coordinate with the department.