Restrictive Duty: Work During Recovery

Keeping employees active and engaged in work during recovery is an important part of medical treatment. Restrictive duty allows employees to continue to work at a medically appropriate level of activity, and allows employees to safely take part in the company in a role that benefits both the employee and the organization.

A Safe Return to Work

During the restrictive duty transition period, safe return to work is the goal, as the employee gradually progresses in the assignment, building on strengths and developing the capabilities to eventually return to their previous position, if appropriate.

While restrictive duty assignments are typically short-term, they may last for a few months as the employee continues to successfully recover. Restrictive duty assignments have many benefits. Specifically, they:

  • Reintroduce work activity at a safe level
  • Protect the employee from re-injury as they continue in their recovery and re-conditioning
  • Prepare the employee for eventual return to work at full duty
  • Help injured employees stay active as their condition improves
  • Can provide variety and challenge according to level of worker capability
  • Keep employees engaged with coworkers
  • Allow employees to stay involved and contribute their knowledge and skills
  • Help employees recover more quickly and more fully

In addition to building morale by allowing your employees to gradually resume work responsibilities in the company, restrictive duty helps employers reduce workers’ compensation related expenses, and allows employees to continue to earn income.

Defining Restrictive Duty

Each employee’s recovery process is unique, and each company has various roles and duties that may match an employee’s needs during this transitional period. To help employers design appropriate restrictive duty assignments, Corporate Care will provide restrictive duty recommendations. These recommendations will indicate safe levels of activity to help human resources or managers determine the roles and duties each employee can safely perform during recovery.

RWJBH Corporate Care
1195 Route 70, Suite 1000
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 942-5851
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Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
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Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
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Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
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Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
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Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
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RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
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Trinitas Regional Medical Center – Williamson Street Campus
225 Williamson St
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
(908) 994-5000
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Medemerge
1005 North Washington Avenue
Green Brook, NJ 08812
(732) 968-8900
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RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
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Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
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Jersey City Medical Center RWJBH Corporate Care
414 Grand Street
Suite 17
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 885-4750
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