The purpose is to help employees who are injured on the job so that they can recover and return to work as soon as possible. Bouncing straight back into full-duty work may not be possible.
It is where Light Duty in Workers’ Compensation comes into play. But what is a light duty and why is it recommended? Here are the reasons for Light Duty in Worker’s Compensation.
Understand Light Duty in Workers’ Compensation
Employee work may be adjusted or less physical due to the temporary restrictions while working light duty. The job tasks given in a light-duty position are customized to the employee’s current physical restrictions. These job tasks may adjust as employee restrictions improve with different temporary light-duty job duties. The primary aim is to keep workers active daily during their medical care to return to work full duty sooner than later.
Purpose and Benefits of Light Duty
1. Facilitates Faster Recovery
Light duty provides the opportunity for the injured employee to remain dynamic and contribute to a speedier recovery. Remaining still for long periods can lead to muscle shortfalls and other complications. An injured employee who reintroduces physical action in a controlled environment are more likely to recapture their full strength and return to their full physical capabilities sooner.
2. Promotes Employee Morale
Injuries can demoralize and individual’s thinking, specifically if they result in a long-term absence from work. Light duty offers a sense of reason and inclusion in the work environment, which will make a difference. Injured employees maintain a favorable viewpoint during their recuperation. It can be significant for mental well-being and work satisfaction.
3. Decreases in Financial Burden
Light duty can ease a few monetary strains for employers, employees, and their families. Employers should consider temporary light duty when the employee receives physical restrictions to prevent them from being unable to perform their regular job duties. Also, its employers claim costs and modification factors, eliminate lost time days with reduced OSHA reporting, and maintain employees on the payroll. It can assist employees while working light duty with a higher paycheck than the weekly compensation rate, which relieves financial stress at home.
4. Mitigates Work Environment Disruption
When an employee is off work due to a work injury, it can disturb the workflow and put extra strain on the rest of the team. Light duty allows the injured employee to contribute to the work environment, even with reduced temporary physical capabilities to keep up with efficiency and minimize the effect on the overall operation.
5. Legal Compliance and Risk Management
Light duty work can assist employers in complying with legal obligations under worker recompense laws. It, too, illustrates a commitment to employee welfare. Also, providing the injured employee temporary light duty work diminishes the probability of malingering, where the employee might expand their recuperation period unnecessarily.
6. Streamlined Move to Full Duty
Light duty serves between being off work and returning to full-duty assignments. This progressive move makes a difference and guarantees the employee recovery process. Later, they take on their general duties, diminishing their chances of re-injury. While working light duty employees may improve their full physical capabilities and return to their full-duty position and schedule.
Conclusion
Light Duty in Workers’ Compensation is imperative for supporting injured employees during their medical care. It provides various benefits, including speedier recovery, effective resolution, reduced budgetary burden, and minimized work environment disturbance. Furthermore, it guarantees legal compliance and encourages a smooth transition back to duty.
At Varner Claims Consulting, LLC, we understand the significance of viable light-duty services. Our services include Light/Modified/Transitional Duty Assignments, Track and Monitor, Documents, Assessment Reports, and Statistical Reports. We are committed to making a difference, and our team explores the complexities of providing a temporary light-duty work assignment with ease and certainty.