Back to work

A new online resource to help with the return to work process following an injury or illness has been launched today.

A new online service that aims to provide the best international research on ‘return to work’ issues is being launched today.

The ‘Return To Work Knowledge Base’ is geared towards helping people return to work as quickly as possible after an illness or injury.

It has information and for employers, employees, occupational health practitioners and insurers.

The Chair of the Knowledge Base Project, Dr Mary Wyatt, said that each year, workplace injuries and illnesses cost Australians more than $20 billion in lost productivity and medical expenses.

“The emotional, social and financial cost of workplace injury and illness to Australian workers and their families is unacceptable,” she said.

The website contains over one hundred articles in plain English which look at areas such as the consequences of being out of work, workplace management models and different approaches to returning to work.

It was developed with input from workers, employers, insurers and medical practitioners.

“Representatives of these groups participated in a series of focus groups to identify appropriate research material and resources for the site,” said Dr Wyatt.

The service was developed by ResWorks – The Foundation for Research into Injury and Illness in the Workplace, on behalf of WorkSafe Victoria’s RTW Fund.

Access to the website is free.

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