Return-to-Work Psychology - Psychological Impacts During Re-Insertion Into The Workplace

When a person is ready to return to work physically it is important for that person to do so gradually. Muscles may have weakened or the joints and ligaments may have stiffened requiring the worker to be eased back into the workforce. When a worker is absent from the job for an extended period of time, a significant loss of skill to perform that task can be lost. Most current return-to-work programs do little monitoring of the person’s performance and job productivity once they are re-inserted into the workforce. Behaviors of a person returning to work can affect the reactions of co-workers. Misunderstandings are commonplace because pain levels in people fluctuate. The supervisor, co-workers, medical personnel, and family all need to reinforce wellness behaviors the person exhibits