Most of you reading this article probably work in facilities with return-to-work programs. According to studies, 70 to 80 percent of companies have procedures to get injured workers back on the job. And companies have used these programs more aggressively in recent years to lower workers' compensation costs.
For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released data last December showing declines in virtually all the major occupational injury and illness rates except for one-cases involving restricted work activity. Since the mid-1980s, more and more injured employees have been brought back to the job before they are fully healed to perform some type of restricted work-perhaps shortened hours, a temporary job change, or modifications to their regular job (such as no heavy lifting).