By 2008
AASCIF Communications Standing Committee
 As
we all know, a properly implemented Return to Work program (RTW)
helps employers control workers’ compensation costs and shows
employees that management truly cares about them. But helping business
owners understand the importance of an RTW program and actually
implementing an effective one can be a daunting task. With that
in mind, the Montana State Fund Communications Team took on the
task of creating a Return to Work program that our customers could
easily implement.
Steps to Success
We realized that in order for this program to succeed, we first
needed commitment and input from our own staff. That is why we
created an RTW task force that was comprised of a cross section
of MSF professionals. This group cooperatively established the
framework of the program.
Creating the Message
From the beginning of this process, our goal was to develop materials
that were not bogged down in jargon, but which were complete
and understandable so that our customers could easily create
their own programs. The final product included an RTW kit that
was filled with a number of sample forms, letters and ready-to-use
posters. Our website, http://www.returntoworkmt.com had even
more in-depth materials and downloadable tools.
Communicating Our Message
Before we rolled out the campaign, we introduced it to our staff
so they were up to speed on the new product. The public was made
aware of it through advertisements in newspapers statewide, trade
publications and newspaper banner ads that directed them to our
website, or to call Montana State Fund for a free RTW kit. We
also ran a series of sponsorships on Montana’s public radio
system. Additionally, our safety services team held RTW training
workshops throughout the state, other staff members hit the road
to make public presentations, and our claims’ teams mailed
kits to our policyholders.
Has RTW Worked?
Since the program’s kick-off in 2006, interest in our kit
and website has been overwhelming. We’ve received numerous
requests from business owners across the state for the materials
and our safety management consultants report that new RTW programs
are being developed.
How Are Other Funds Spreading the RTW Message?
New Mexico Mutual
New Mexico Mutual’s most useful RTW communication tool has
been the claims department’s yearly statewide Workers’ Compensation
101 classes. The classes are offered in specific areas of New Mexico
throughout the year, but are also available to individual policyholders
upon request. The key component of the seminars is the importance
of return to work. The lecturers (often claims adjusters and managers)
offer historical examples of how claims costs skyrocket when return
to work is not used and how workers who do not return to their
jobs soon after injury, are less likely to return to gainful employment
with their company.
New Mexico Mutual also provides pamphlets at these seminars that
address the key components of developing a return to work program.
Upon request, the Director of Employer/Labor Affairs will visit
interested policyholders to review suggested guidelines of developing
a return to work plan, and give suggestions of how to implement
the program correctly. We believe the personal touch made by a
NM Mutual Director has proven to be widely successful with our
policyholders.
Pinnacol Assurance
Recognizing that putting a RTW program in place is often a daunting
task, Pinnacol Assurance in Colorado turned to technology to help
our policyholders get started.
Our RTW CD has five self-contained
and easy to access modules that explain the benefits of offering
modified duty work and provide
step-by step instructions for:
- Writing modified duty policy
- Creating modified duty task lists
- Completing the formal job
offer process
The CD also includes:
- Over 50 downloadable files
- A variety of sample letters for both
employees and treating providers
- Modified duty task lists for
more than 40 different industries.
The total running time is just under 25 minutes, making it easy
to view the production in one session.
The tool has been widely praised by policyholders for its ease
of use. It was so popular that our initial inventory, which was
projected to last two years, was depleted in just over 12 months.
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