Stay at Work (SAW) and Return to Work (RTW) benefit everyone involved. The sections below outline how each group may benefit.
Financial stability and employment
Maintaining the employment relationship, which provides job security and financial independence.
Maintaining full earnings capacity.
Avoiding dependence on disability benefits.
Maintaining financial credibility, e.g. application and renewal of mortgages and loans when without a job.
Health and recovery
Minimizing the loss of physical fitness and muscle tone due to inactivity.
Reducing the likelihood of secondary complications, such as depression, that may delay or complicate recovery.
Being able to return earlier to a healthy and productive life.
Reducing the amount of time for recovery.
Routine and well-being
Maintaining a regular work schedule.
Maintaining daily structure, social contact and support from co-workers and friends.
Focusing on abilities and not disabilities.
Maintaining dignity and self-worth through productivity.
Benefits and long-term stability
Maintaining in-house/company pension plans, medical benefits, dental plans, and group life insurance.
Maintaining vacation/sick day benefits.
Avoiding long term unemployment.
Maintaining necessary job skills.
Alleviating feelings of dependency and lack of control.
- Continued income.
- Reduced medical expenses.
- Reduced stress on relationships.
- Improved productivity because employers keep skilled and productive workers on the job.
- Completion of meaningful alternative duties that may not have been otherwise undertaken due to other priorities.
- Reduced staff turnover and training costs by retaining experienced and knowledgeable employees.
- Ability to participate in and contribute to the rehabilitation process.
- Improved morale and employee relations by offering SAW/RTW plans for both work-related and non-work-related injury or illness.
- Minimized accident costs, including workers’ compensations costs, and non-recoverable expenses such as the hiring and training of replacement employees and the cost of inexperienced employees.
- Improved accident experience, which may be important for companies bidding on contracts.
- Completion of tasks that may have been delayed due to other priorities.
- Decreased number of grievances and arbitrations.
- Providing focused and coordinated treatment for the injured employee.
- Adopting a cooperative approach, which promotes a more efficient use of health care resources.