The Preferred Worker Program offers employers financial incentives to hire qualified injured workers who are unable to return to the employer where the industrial injury/occupational disease occurred.
The L&I's Vocational Services Consultant (VSC) reviews both the Request for Preferred Worker Status form and the Intent to Hire Preferred Worker form to ensure compliance with the Preferred Worker Program guidelines.
To approve the Request for Preferred Worker Status form, the VSC reviews:
- The reasons why the worker is unable to return to the employer where the industrial injury/occupational disease occured,
- Relevant information from the medical examiner, and
- The worker's physical capacities.
To approve the Intent to Hire Preferred Worker form, the VSC reviews:
- The job description of the new job to see that the physical demands are compatible with the worker's restrictions.
Note: The employer at the time the industrial injury/occupational disease occurred may be approved for the Preferred Worker Program if:
- The worker is certified as developmentally disabled as defined in WAC 71A.10.020 (www.leg.wa.gov).
- The worker received at least 14 consecutive days of time loss.
- The employer submits a Intent to Hire Preferred Worker with Developmental Disabilities form (F280-011-000).
Employers: Wonder what you could save in a year if you hired a preferred worker? Our Preferred Worker Calculator can help you answer this question.
Preferred Worker Forms
- Preferred Worker Program brochure (English) (F280-021-000).
- Preferred Worker Program brochure (Spanish) (F280-021-999).
- Request for Preferred Worker Status (application) (F280-023-000).
- Intent to Hire Preferred Worker (application) (F280-010-000).
- Employer's Job Description (F280-022-000).
- Preferred Worker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
