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What Do You Know About Light-Duty?

On Behalf of | Jan 22, 2022 | Workplace Injuries |

After a workplace injury, you hope to recover quickly so you may return to your job. Rather than wait until you make a full recovery, you could work light-duty to earn a living while you heal.

The Society for Human Resource Management explains how light-duty programs work. You and your employer may work together to get you back to work sooner rather than later.

Defining light-duty

Light-duty programs allow injured employees to work in a limited capacity that accommodates their physical capabilities and respects their physical restrictions. Employers may also offer limited duty, which reduces the number of hours an injured employee usually works. With modified duty, recovering employees trade specific tasks for duties better suited for their physical abilities and their regular job role.

Benefits of light-duty

When companies implement light-duty programs, they boost overall productivity, reduce overtime pay costs, reduce the number of days an injured employee misses from work and save the time and money it costs to hire a temporary employee. Employees benefit from the program by earning a living, keeping their professional skills sharp while recovering and feeling like they make a difference in the company’s success. Companies that offer light-duty programs may notice injured employees return to work sooner.

Examples of light-duty

Examples of light-duty include training other employees, tending to administrative tasks, performing safety inspections, handling shipping and packing and stocking supplies. Whatever light duties an employee takes on, they should contribute to the company’s success and have meaning. An employee should not view light-duty as a punishment.

You deserve the peace of mind of knowing you have a job to go back to. Asking your company about a light-duty program could help you both.