Return-To-Work Program

A Return-to-Work Program aims to facilitate employees' safe and swift return to work, preserving their physical capabilities and financial security while ensuring compliance with Montana's workers’ compensation laws. The State of Montana Return-to-Work Program Manual outlines the minimum requirements each agency should have in place to run an effective Return-to-Work Program.

How a Return- to-Work Program Can Help

Employees

It is important employees understand what happens when they are off work due to an injury at work.

Benefits to employees:

Recover more quickly
Experience smoother transition to regular duty
Minimize employee stress related to on the job injury
Continue, without disruption, receiving normal paycheck and state employment contributions and benefits
Maintain relationships with co-workers and management

The Benefits of Returning to Work

Employers

All injury claims are different and with that come unique challenges.

Benefits to employers:

Maintain productivity in the workplace
Support the culture of caring for our employees
Provide a safe and timely transition back to work
Keep trained and experienced workers on the job
Minimize workers’ compensation costs

Employer resources:

WCMB works with agencies who cannot accommodate an injured worker's restrictions by placing them in another agency temporarily. The host agency that provides the temporary work receives the benefit of the experience and education of the injured worker without having to pay the workers’ wages. The home agency continues to pay their salary.