Ailing
economy hurts return-to-work efforts for injured employees: Analysis
The economic
downturn has made it more difficult for injured employees to return
to work, according to a study by the Workers Compensation Research
Institute.
In a report released Tuesday, Cambridge, Mass.-based
WCRI studied workers compensation procedures and outcomes in
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which were deemed to have faster and
higher return-to-work rates than other states.
In the study, WCRI said the economy has reduced the
impact of certain workers comp practices in those states.
“Against a backdrop of high unemployment, some
injured workers may face even greater challenges in returning to
work, potentially leading to increases in the duration of
disability,” WCRI said in the report.
Modified duty jobs harder to find
It said the Great Recession made it more difficult
for employers to offer modified work duties for injured workers that
would allow those employees to re-enter the workplace during their
recovery.
"Employers are leaner and less inclined to offer
light, transitional or modified duty in the economic downturn,
particularly employers who do not want to have to lay off another
employee in order to bring an injured worker back to light duty
during the healing period," according to the study.
The institute also said there are fewer jobs for
unemployed injured workers to seek, and that some employers are
reluctant to hire workers with permanent work restrictions.
Despite increased challenges, the down economy has
created a financial incentive for employees to return to work as
soon as possible—particularly when they stand to lose temporary
disability benefits, the study said.
