Benefits of modified work for ill or injured employees

The Health Recovery and Return to Work team in Human Resource Services is available to help you provide safe and appropriate work to your employees recovering from an injury or illness. Providing modified hours or duties to your ill or injured employees is beneficial to your operations, staff members and workplace culture.

 Their rehabilitation can be more effective because you are: 

• sending them a positive message of support and value
• shortening the duration of an illness leave
• helping them maintain their social and professional networks
• minimizing the psychological impact of their illness 

In the workplace, providing modified work for ill or injured employees:

• assists the unit in managing some duties that otherwise would not be completed
• reduces strain on co-workers
• helps maintain a level of customer service
• minimizes rehabilitation costs
• controls disability costs by minimizing time spent on General Illness, Medical Leave, Long Term Disability, or Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) claims
• complies with Occupational Health and Safety legislation and WCB legislation

When you support your staff in their safe return to work, you:

• create a culture of mutual understanding and support in the unit
• send a powerful message to all staff of respect and support if they become ill
• reinforce team values and team respect leading to a high performing and healthy workplace
• create a psychologically safe workplace environment

To learn more, contact the Health Recovery and Return to Work team at recovery@ualberta.ca or by calling 780-492-0636.