Safe Work Australia has published a summary of its National Return to Work survey for 2018.
The survey is held on a two-yearly basis and compares the return-to-work experiences and outcomes of injured workers
The latest survey found a significant increase in the proportion of unsuccessful return-to-work attempts (those who had to take additional time off since returning to work due to their work-related injury or illness) at 19.6 per cent.
It found that approximately 38 per cent of workers who returned to work reported they worked reduced hours upon their return with those who experienced mental illness were the most likely to work reduced hours (53.7 per cent).
It found that around 38 per cent of workers who returned to work reported they were performing slightly different or modified duties upon their return, while 19 per cent reported performing completely different duties.
Most survey respondents were positive about their general health, with 32 per cent rating their health as ‘good’ and 37.9 per cent rating it as either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’.
The survey found that those who experienced ‘other trauma’ (44.8 per cent) or fractures (43.3 per cent) were most positive about their general health, while workers who experienced mental illness were the least positive.
Nearly two-thirds (65.3 per cent) of the 2018 survey respondents reported having a return to work plan — almost identical to the 2016 result.
Workers under Comcare (73.6 per cent) and Victoria (70.8 per cent) were the most likely to have a plan in place to get back to work, while those in Queensland (56 per cent) were significantly less likely.
A quarter (25.5 per cent) of the surveyed workers reported they had experienced a difference of opinion from the organisation they dealt with for their claim.
The highest proportion of workers who experienced a difference of opinion from their compensation organisation were dealing with Comcare (34.3 per cent) while those from Queensland (20.5 per cent) were least likely to experience a difference of opinion.
Those with a claim duration longer than two years reported having a difference of opinion from their compensation organisation (34.8 per cent) compared with those with shorter claims.
All Australian jurisdictions participated in the survey except South Australia.
Safe Work Australia’s 53-page summary can be accessed at this PS News link.
