Your employer cares about your safety and well-being at work. They work hard to
keep you safe at work and create plans to respond effectively should an injury occur,
but when an injury happens do you know what to do in order to recover and
get back on the job?
Understanding your role in planning ahead will help you take the right steps to return to work quickly and safely.
You can make a difference in your recovery through modified work.
Modified work is a temporary alteration to a standard day, duties or equipment used to
help a worker with an injury to continue to work safely.
It is good to be prepared with modified work opportunities before an injury occurs.
Your employer will share your company's policy for accommodating early and safe return to work,
for you if you are injured. Share your ideas for modified work options.
Write them down, you know your job best how it can be altered so you can still
participate and contribute. WCB Alberta has created a simple modified work
wallet card to help you and your supervisor plan ahead. If you don't have
one you can request one at www.wcb.ab.ca
Here's what you need to do if you are hurt at work. When an injury occurs act
quickly seek prompt medical treatment and return to work advise as soon as you can.
If your employer has access to an occupational injury services clinic or OIS,
you will receive timely treatment and return to work recommendations.
Tell your employer as soon as you can that you are hurt on the job.
Let your supervisor know how your accident happened, report online.
WCB will help you get back on the job as quickly as possible.
Once your claim is off to a good start, begin planning for a safe return to work
and talk to your supervisor regularly about possible modifications to your job.
Share your ideas with your WCB contact for modifying your job to help
you return to work safely. WCB will support your efforts by speaking with
you and your employer about the options available. In most cases it is safe and
important to resume activity shortly after being hurt.
Simple adaptations to a job can provide a safe and positive way to rehabilitate
through an injury. These modifications can be as simple as changes in your
environment or work area, tasks or functions, your equipment or even your workload.
Visit WCB's website for more resources and information about modified work.
Many injured workers are able to perform safe modified work immediately
following an injury and do not miss time from work at all. If you are not able to
return to work immediately following your accident talk to your supervisor
regularly to update him or her on your progress. Stay connected and play an
active role in your recovery and return to work plan. Your supervisor will be
glad to know you care about returning to work and will want to hear your ideas.
When an injury occurs it is important to be prepared. Remember to start on day one on the job.
Review your company's modified work policies and read any educational materials they provide.
If an accident happens, act quickly.
Get the help and return to work advice you need. Be sure to report as soon as you can.
Be proactive, have some modified work ideas before you even need them
and share them with your supervisor. Make sure to communicate frequently as well.
Let your supervisor know when you can return to work, discuss your options and your plans.
You are a valued member to your employers team.
If you have any questions about modified work, we can help. Call our contact center or your case manager.
and please visit our website for more information on modified work.
We're here to help you stay in the game.