| Returning to Work
When you return to work after being off due to a disabling illness or injury, you may be eligible for a pay increase and/or restoration of your leave balances.
If you return to work following an approved disability leave claim, you will receive any step increases you would have normally received had you been working. Depending on your bargaining unit contract, you may receive personal and/or sick leave time you would have accrued had you not been off work. However, vacation time will not be restored.
If you return to work within your approved leave of absence due to an approved workers’ compensation claim, your time off may count as service credit for annual step increases and computing the amount of vacation leave you earn. However, vacation time that you would have accrued while you were off will not be restored. Depending on your bargaining unit contract, you may receive personal and/or sick leave time you would have accrued had you not been off work.
If you have been off work on an approved disability leave or workers’ compensation claim and still have temporary work restrictions, the state may provide you with a program to help you return to work.
Transitional
Work Programs
One program that may be offered to you is a transitional
work program (TWP), an interim step in your physical conditioning
and recovery. It is a step toward returning you to your original
job. TWPs encourage and support
your safe return to work as early in your recovery period as possible.
If you are offered a TWP, your
attending physician will inform your agency of your physical capabilities
and work restrictions. Your attending physician will release you
to participate in the TWP, and provide
the agency with your temporary physical restrictions.
Participating in a TWP and gradually
expanding your work assignments (as approved by your attending physician)
creates a smoother and safer transition from being disabled to returning
to your original job position. TWPs
may consist of a gradually increasing work schedule, modified work
assignments or both.
While participating in a TWP you
will receive your base rate of
pay for the hours you work . You may be eligible to receive a portion of disability
or workers' compensation benefits for the time you are not working.
Each state agency is responsible for developing its own TWP.
Every program is unique to the need of the disabled employee. The
duration of each TWP is based on
medical necessity. Typically, TWPs
are approved for up to 30 days, but may be extended based on your
attending physician's recommendation. Please see your personnel
officer if you have any questions about TWPs.
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