Every year, more than half a million Australians sustain a work-related injury or illness. For the employee who becomes injured or ill at work, and for their employer, failed or incomplete return to work can have significant negative consequences. 

For this project, BETA collaborated with Safe Work Australia to adapt existing return to work materials for use by supervisors in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and undertook a literature review, stakeholder consultation, and data analysis. Key findings from this diagnostic research informed the first round of revisions to the original return to work guidance materials. The project then tested the revised materials with 12 supervisors working in SMEs, and made further changes based on their feedback.

Findings

• Relationships matter. A positive relationship between the supervisor and worker can reduce the risk of a failed return to work, while poor relationships present a challenge. Supervisors also highlighted the importance of the rest of the team in a small business
• Timely, specific information is key. Supervisors in SMEs are often time poor, and juggling many roles and responsibilities. They do not always have existing processes in place for dealing with a workplace injury; rather dealing with each incident in an ad hoc manner.
• Mental health is on everyone’s mind. Psychological injuries often result in longer periods of time off and lower chance of successful return to work. They are particularly challenging for supervisors.
• Suitable duties are a challenge for SMEs. Given the smaller number of staff and roles in SMEs, it is harder (than in large businesses) to find alternative work or tasks for the injured or ill workers.