Returning to work healthiest option

Returning to work is the healthiest option

In 2011 the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians) released its Australian and New Zealand Consensus Statement on the Health Benefits of Work.

At the heart of the Consensus Statement is the desire to improve the welfare of individuals, families and communities. Some of the Consensus Statement’s fundamental principles are:

  • work is generally good for health and wellbeing
  • long-term work absence, work disability and unemployment have a negative impact on health and wellbeing
  • people attempting to return to work after injury or illness face a complex situation with many variables. Good outcomes are more likely when people understand the health benefits of work, and are empowered to take responsibility for their own situation. 

Return to work information

 PDF  Return to Work - The benefits of returning to work   (Pub No IS083, 2.0 01/03/2011, Pages 2, 141.8 KB)

This information sheet aims to help everyone involved in the injury management process understand why returning to work is so important and what they can do to help injured workers return to work

 PDF  Return to Work - Consensus Statement, Realising the health benefits of work   (Pub No RACP1, 1.0 01/07/2011, Pages 30, 670.4 KB)

This combined document shows the consensus statement from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) that WorkCover Tasmania endorses; and the position statement that discusses how governments, doctors and employers can support injured workers returning to work.

 PDF  Return to Work - Helping people return to work   (Pub No RACP2, 1.0 01/01/2010, Pages 40, 893.9 KB)

This position statement from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) discusses the benefits of returning to work during recovery; and how those involved, such as doctors and employers, can help the return to work process.

 PDF  Return to Work - Making it Work guide   (Pub No GB197, 1.0 01/06/2010, Pages 20, 576.0 KB)

This Making it Work guide explains injury management. It encourages employers and workers to look beyond simply meeting their legislative obligations and see the benefits of actively managing an injured worker's return to work

 PDF  Return to Work - Making it Work poster   (Pub No PO021, 1.0 01/06/2010, Pages 1, 49.3 KB)

This Making it Work poster summarises the key components of injury management in your workplace.

For further information or assistance

For further information regarding any of the listed documents above or if you have difficulties downloading any document, please contact the WorkCover Communications Manager: Email: workcover@justice.tas.gov.au

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Alternatively, please phone  1300 776 572 if you require assistance obtaining a copy of the document.