Exploring the Recover at Work (RAW) Program

Injury at work continues to be a serious problem across Australia, causing pain and distress and negatively affecting injured workers’ futures and the economic well-being of the industry.

The Recover at Work program in Queensland is recognised to be beneficial to injured workers and the industry alike.  It allows injured workers (who are not yet able to return to the duties of their original job) to do a work placement with another employer. 

How does the RAW program help injured workers?

It is generally recognised that the ability to keep working in some capacity can help workers in their recovery.  If an injured worker can’t carry out their previous duties, and their employer cannot find any accommodation means, the Recover at Work program can give injured workers temporary placements with other employers.

How does the RAW program work?

Employers who take part in the Recover at Work program are called “host employers.”  Host employers commit to having an injured worker work in their workplace for usually between three and six weeks.

When a host employer takes on an injured worker, a suitable duties program is created and WorkCover Queensland covers the wages paid.  A WorkCover customer advisor always oversees suitable duties plans.  The WorkCover customer advisor is always in contact with the employee and host employer and the doctor and allied health professionals involved in the treatment of the injured worker. 

Why should employers want to become host employers in the RAW program?

The Recover at Work program offers several advantages to prospective host employers.  Let’s go over them here:

• Host employers can benefit from labour funded by WorkCover
• If host employers are happy with an injured worker’s performance and wish to hire them in the future (if the worker isn’t able to return to their original job), this is possible. There is no obligation at all to provide future employment.
• Host employers are contributing to their industry by helping to keep skilled workers within it.
• Host employers earn recognition from others in the industry to take a leadership role and demonstrate a social conscience.
• Host employers enjoy protection against any costs that could be involved in additional claims.

How are injured workers brought into the RAW program?

Injured workers can enter the Return to Work program if it is found that their current employer no longer has suitable duties for them.  Once it has been determined that this is the case, WorkCover will make the worker and current employer aware of the option of host employment.  After that, location and industry are considered as a RAW employer is found.  A worksite assessment must then be carried out before the placement begins. 

The program must consider the following factors when setting up an injured worker in a placement.  These are:

• The worker’s medical status, injury, and current functional capacity.
• The worker’s experience, skills, age, and education.
• The host employer’s procedures and policies for workplace rehabilitation.
• The results of the host workplace’s worksite assessment.

Certain circumstances may cause the early end of a host placement.  These can include changes in the worker’s level of incapacity and advice provided by WorkCover or the host employer. 

The RAW program is making real contributions to the industry?

When host employers take part in the Recover at Work (RAW) program by offering placements to injured workers, they are potentially benefiting both the worker’s well-being and future potential and the industry overall.