Working through challenges with your employer
Find ways to work with your employer to manage challenges and support your return to work.
Support for when life gets tough
When life gets hard – whether with financial stress, health concerns or personal struggles – there’s help and support available.
Overcoming challenges
Getting back to work after an injury isn’t always straightforward.
Challenges can come from the injury itself, or from personal, social or workplace factors. These are often called barriers.
We may need to talk with you, your employer and your doctor to work through these issues.
We can also help your employer understand how to support you while you recover.
Working together
- It’s important for you and your employer to work together.
- Be open and honest about your concerns and expectations.
- If your doctor says you can work but you chose not to, your benefits may be affected.
- Once issues are identified, you can start discussing solutions.
Solutions might include reassurance that the workplace is safe, or more discussions with your doctor or another health professional.
Common challenges
Workers and employers may face issues like:
- thinking you must be fully healed before returning to work
- employers being uncertain about a worker’s level of injury
- disagreement about whether you are ready to return
- worrying about getting hurt again
- stressful workplace conditions that contributed to the injury
- feeling unable to do your job or any adjusted duties.
If there is a disagreement
If you and your employer can’t agree on a return‑to‑work plan, open discussion can help you find a fair solution.
We can support you with these discussions.
Tips for productive discussions
- Say clearly what the issue is
- Stay calm and focus on the facts
- Take breaks if you need to
- Try meeting in a different place
- Look for things you both agree on
- Ask a mediator to help
Resolving major issues
Sometimes you may need extra help to move forward.
A workplace facilitated discussion can be organised when you, your employer, or your claims officer feel it is needed.
Your claims officer may refer you to an accredited rehabilitation services provider.
The provider meets with everyone to help resolve the issues and support you in returning to work.
Learn more about workplace facilitated discussions.
Related information
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