If you’ve had time away from work due to your disability, injury, illness or health condition, you might be concerned about returning to your job. There are steps you can take to get the support you may need or make changes to your workplace.

Step 1: Get advice from your doctor

Visit your doctor and give them a copy of your job description or task list, so they understand what you do in your job. This will help your doctor tell you when you can return to work.

They might say it’s okay to return to work straight away or some time in the future. They might ask you to ease back into work. For example, at first you might work fewer days or hours, or have fewer duties.

If you are seeing a rehabilitation expert, you may also seek advice from them on when you are ready to return to work.

Step 2: Plan to meet with your employer

You know more than anyone else about what you can and can’t do due to your disability, injury, illness or health condition. Plan to meet with your employer to discuss your situation and what support you might need.

If you have a Disability Employment Services (DES) provider, they can help you have the discussion with your employer.

Step 3: Review the essential tasks of your job

With your employer or DES provider, review your job description and work tasks. You and your employer or DES provider might think about:

• if you can still do all the essential tasks
• what other or different tasks you can do
• if you need any training
• if you need changes to work times or other flexible arrangements
• any workplace changes your employer can make to support you.

Changes in the workplace could include adjustments to your work area or new equipment or technology to support you. You might be able to get help to cover the cost of changes through the Employment Assistance Fund.

Find out more about types of reasonable adjustments.

Step 4: Agree on a ‘return to work’ plan

Your employer might create a ‘return to work’ plan for you. Or a rehabilitation expert might prepare this. A plan could include:

• a new job title
• a list of your duties
• starting and finishing times
• break times
• any restrictions or recommendations – these might come from your medical certificate
• the supervisors or managers who will support your return to work
• a schedule for adding to your workload over time – if that’s the advice of your doctor.

Your employer might ask you to sign the plan to show that you agree and understand what you need to do.

If you have any concerns about your return to work, talk to your employer or DES provider straight away.

Step 5: Consider training and other support

You and your employer might decide you need to do some training. For example:

• ‘refresher’ training on your current skills
• training if you need to learn some new skills – for example, if you return to work with different job tasks
• retraining in work health and safety procedures.

Mentoring or buddy programs can also help you in your return to work. This is when another employee gives you extra support, advice and feedback as you ease back into the workplace.

Ask if your employer has a program like this that you can take part in. If they don’t, you might be able to ask a co-worker to be your mentor or buddy.