Return to Work - Overview

June 30, 2012 - June 30, 2022

RE-01

General Information

Return to work is a proactive approach to help injured workers return to safe and productive work activities as soon as it is functionally appropriate. It is a partnership involving employers, workers, health care providers, unions and the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB). YWCHSB provides return to work services and programs to injured workers, the primary goals of which are to safely return each worker to employment or employability comparable to the preinjury level as soon as functionally appropriate during recovery. YWCHSB recognizes that early and safe return to work is an important part of the rehabilitation plan for most injured workers. If a worker is able to remain at work or return to the workplace during their recovery period, the social and financial costs associated with workplace injury are significantly reduced.

It is critical for employers to understand that, under the Human Rights Act, every employer has a duty – to the point of undue hardship – to accommodate disabled workers.

It is also critical that workers try as much as possible to continually reduce the financial and physical impacts of their disability, as required by section 14 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, S.Y. 2008 (the Act) and YWCHSB policy RE-03, “Mitigation of Loss.”

Purpose

This policy gives an overview of the return to work process and related provisions of the Act and outlines the roles of workers, employers and YWCHSB in supporting the early and safe return to work of injured workers.