Know the top 3 reasons to work light-duty

1. Continue to earn wages. Time-loss only pays 60-75% of your lost wages. Returning to work helps preserve your earning power.
2. Recover faster. Being back in the workplace can improve both your physical and mental health.
3. Keep your job secure. A continued relationship with your employer is important in this economy. Studies show that the longer you are off work, the harder it is to get back to your original job and wages.

We understand some injuries are so severe you can't go back to work right away. With most injuries, however, an early and medically-approved return to work makes sense.

Returning to work as quickly as possible is a team effort between you, your doctor, and your employer. Stay in touch with them. L&I will provide assistance when you need it.

Pamphlet: Getting Back to Work: It's Your Job and Your Future

Did you know?

We will reimburse your employer 50% of your base wages if they are able to find an eligible light-duty job for you. We will also cover expenses such as training and tools related to the light-duty job. More on eligibility and what your employer can get reimbursed for at www.StayAtWork.Lni.wa.gov.

Ask your doctor about your medical restrictions.

You have a right to receive a Doctor's Estimate of Physical Capacities from your doctor, detailing your medical restrictions or what physical activities you can and cannot do during recovery.

Questions workers have

Did you know?

You can get valuable information about any drugs prescribed for you at the National Institute of Health (www.nih.gov).

Tell your employer you're interested in light-duty work.

Many times, an employer can find a different job you can do with your medical restrictions, while you recover.

Tell your employer we will reimburse them 50% of your base wage, as well as expenses such as training and tools related to the light-duty job. See more on eligibility at www.StayAtWork.Lni.wa.gov.

Questions workers have

Tell your employer about the Stay at Work reimbursement.

If your employer can find you a light-duty job within your medical restrictions, we will reimburse them 50% of your base wages, as well as expenses such as training and tools related to the light-duty job.

This incentive is awarded through L&I's new Stay at Work program. Make sure your employer knows about it. It helps both of you:

• You are more likely to earn close to your original wage/salary on a light-duty job than you are on time-loss. You also stay connected to your workplace, making it easier to get back to your original job and wages.
• Your employer keeps an experienced employee on board, and gets financial help to provide light-duty work.

More on eligibility at www.StayAtWork.Lni.wa.gov.

Vocational counselors

Vocational counselors help injured workers and employers identify return to work options including job modifications. If no appropriate return to work options can be identified with your employer, the vocational counselor will assess your ability to work or need for further services. If you are eligible for vocational services your counselor will help you develop a rehabilitation plan aimed at helping you return to the workplace.

Questions workers have

Did you know?

Time-loss compensation and medical benefits are usually suspended or cut off if the worker fails to participate in the vocational retraining plan without good cause.

Learn about becoming a preferred worker.

L&I gives employers financial incentives to hire workers who, because of a workplace injury or occupational disease, cannot return to their old job.

L&I certifies a preferred worker for 36 months.

Questions workers have

Your vocational counselor will help. You must meet the following criteria:

• You have an open claim for a work-related injury or illness.
• A vocational counselor recommends you for preferred-worker status.

Learn about getting back to work.

There are many resources available to help you return to work or receive training for a new job once your claim is closed:

• You may qualify for frozen unemployment benefits when your claim closes through the Employment Security Department (www.esd.wa.gov).
• Worksource (www.go2WorkSource.com) provides job search assistance including job listings, help with interview skills, help with resume writing, and use of Microsoft Office computer applications. Services vary by location.
• You can use Career Bridge (www.careerbridge.wa.gov) to find the education and training you need to get the job you want.
• Apprenticeship allows you to earn wages while training for a new career.
• Check out a College (www.checkoutacollege.com) matches your interests with community and trade programs in Washington State.
• Find information about how to use your training money if you have selected Vocational Option 2 and want to develop your own training plan.

Learn about training options.

Vocational plans are developed to train disabled workers for new work. If you qualify, you and your vocational counselor will draft a vocational plan identifying services you will need to become employable again.

This plan will show the responsibilities that you, your counselor, your employer and others will have as you work toward this goal.

Once your plan is approved, you will have 2 options. Choosing between them is an important decision. In addition to talking with your counselor, you may want to talk with family members or professional consultants before making your final selection.

Vocational options

* The maximum retraining cost is adjusted July 1 each year.

Additional information

• Find a Training Program.
• Carrying Out Your Vocational Plan: Your Rights and Responsibilities During Plan Implementation (F280‑019‑000).
• Option 2: What You Need to Know, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (F280‑036‑000).
• On-the-Job Training.

Your employer needs to:

• Cooperate with the doctor, claim manager or vocational counselor as they try to find other work options for you.
• Know that if they can find safe light-duty or transitional work for you while you recover, they can get reimbursed for 50% of the base wages they pay, plus expenses such as tools, training or clothing needed. Employers can read more about this incentive at www.Stayatwork.Lni.wa.gov
• Know that you, the worker, have the right to refuse job assignments that violate the medical restrictions from your doctor.

Your doctor needs to:

• Clearly evaluate your work restrictions — and communicate them promptly to the employer, worker and claim manager.
• Respond to requests to approve or disapprove a particular job offer, based on the worker’s medical restrictions. Need help? Call the Provider Hotline at 1‑800‑848‑0811.
• Continue to certify time-loss compensation, at least once every 30 days, as long as the patient is unable to work.
• Make sure only a medical doctor, advanced registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant completes and signs the Report of Accident and Activity Prescription forms.
• Read L&I's Attending Doctor's Return-to-Work Desk Reference (F200‑002‑000).