2 Major Types of Transitional Duty in Workers’ Compensation

In the world of workers’ compensation, one of the most powerful strategies for managing costs while helping injured employees return to work is the implementation of a transitional duty (TD) program. Transitional duty allows employees to return to the workplace in a modified capacity while they continue to recover from their injuries.

These programs offer significant benefits, not only by speeding up recovery but also by minimizing the financial impact of workers’ compensation claims on employers. The key is in structuring a transitional duty program effectively—through either modified work or alternate work—ensuring that both the employee and the employer benefit from the arrangement.

Types of Transitional Duty Programs

Transitional duty programs can be structured in two major ways: modified work or alternate work. Both approaches offer unique advantages depending on the nature of the injury and the availability of suitable work within the company.

Let’s explore how each option works and the best ways to implement them.

1. Modified Work

Modified work involves adjusting the employee’s existing job so they can perform their regular duties with some modifications that accommodate their injury. This could involve altering the work schedule, adjusting equipment, or modifying the tasks the employee is responsible for. In this approach, the employee remains in their original position but with temporary changes to make the work more manageable during recovery.

Example: Consider a nurse who has suffered a back injury and is unable to perform patient transfers. While the nurse cannot move patients, they may still be able to complete their other duties with some adjustments. A patient assistant could take over the patient transfer responsibilities, allowing the nurse to continue working without risk of further injury.

Other Examples of Modified Work:

• An employee who is unable to stand for long periods might be given a stool or chair to use while performing their duties.
• An employee who can only stand for a few hours per day might job-share with another employee, taking shifts throughout the day.
• The employee’s standing time could be reduced temporarily and then increased gradually as they recover.

The goal of modified work is to make minor adjustments that allow the employee to continue in their role without exacerbating their injury. This approach helps maintain productivity and keeps the employee engaged with their regular duties, which can boost morale and speed up recovery.

2. Alternate Work

In some cases, the nature of the employee’s injury may prevent them from returning to their original job, even with modifications. When this happens, alternate work can be a valuable solution. This involves placing the employee in a different role, either within the same department, a different department or even a different business unit altogether. The focus is on finding a suitable position that aligns with the employee’s current capabilities.

For example, an injured worker who can no longer perform physical labor might be reassigned to a desk job or light administrative duties. If the company has multiple business units, the employee could be placed in an alternate position that better suits their temporary limitations.

• Alternative Off-Site Jobs: For employers who do not have suitable alternate tasks available on-site, partnering with vendors to find alternative work placements at another company can be an effective solution. This is particularly beneficial in industries like construction and long-haul trucking, where there may be limited light-duty options at the primary worksite.

Example: A vendor could help locate suitable positions within the community with another employer. In this case, your company would find the injured employee a temporary or permanent job until they are fully recovered. Importantly, the new employer would be responsible for paying the employee’s wages, which can help reduce wage replacement costs for the original employer.

• Non-Profit, Volunteer, or Charitable Positions: If alternate work is not available on-site or through vendor partnerships, another option is to place employees in non-profit or charitable positions. While these positions do not eliminate the employer’s responsibility to pay indemnity wages, they do keep the employee engaged and contributing to the workforce, which can positively impact their recovery. Examples include volunteering as a reader at a nursing home or helping out at an animal shelter by engaging in light, low-risk activities.

These types of positions keep employees active and involved in a productive capacity, ensuring that they maintain a connection to the workforce, which has been shown to aid in faster recovery and prevent feelings of isolation.

Why Transitional Duty Programs Are Essential

Implementing a well-structured transitional duty program is more than just a tool for cost containment; it’s a key component of a broader injury management strategy that benefits both the employer and the employee. Here are some of the reasons why transitional duty is so important:

1. 1. Speeds Up Recovery: Studies show that employees who return to work in some capacity tend to recover faster than those who remain off work for extended periods. Being active and engaged in meaningful work can have both physical and psychological benefits, which accelerate the healing process.
   2. Reduces Workers’ Compensation Costs: Keeping employees engaged in transitional duty roles helps reduce the overall costs associated with workers’ compensation claims. When employees return to work in any capacity, employers often save on wage replacement costs, medical expenses, and potential litigation expenses.
   3. Improves Morale and Retention: Transitional duty programs help injured employees feel valued and supported by their employer. Instead of feeling isolated or forgotten, employees remain connected to their workplace, which improves morale and increases the likelihood of returning to full duty once recovered.
   4. Maintains Productivity: By keeping injured employees in the workplace, even in a modified or alternate role, employers can maintain productivity levels. While the employee may not be performing their original duties, they are still contributing to the company’s operations in a meaningful way.

Conclusion

Transitional duty programs are an invaluable asset in managing workers’ compensation claims. By providing options for modified or alternate work, these programs enable injured employees to remain productive, accelerate their recovery, and reduce the overall costs of workers’ comp claims. Whether through on-site modified work, alternative assignments in different departments, or community-based off-site roles, a well-implemented transitional duty program is a win-win for both the employer and the employee.

The key to success is ensuring that transitional duty roles are carefully structured and aligned with the employee’s current abilities. By doing so, companies can minimize the financial impact of workplace injuries while demonstrating care and support for their workforce, fostering a culture of safety, recovery, and productivity.

Michael Stack, CEO of Amaxx LLC, is an expert in workers’ compensation cost containment systems and provides education, training, and consulting to help employers reduce their workers’ compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is co-author of the #1 selling comprehensive training guide “Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Workers’ Comp Costs: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%.” Stack is the creator of Injury Management Results (IMR) software and founder of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. WC Mastery Training teaching injury management best practices such as return to work, communication, claims best practices, medical management, and working with vendors. IMR software simplifies the implementation of these best practices for employers and ties results to a Critical Metrics Dashboard.
Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/
Injury Management Results (IMR) Software: https://imrsoftware.com/

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