Transitional Work Grants - updated for a renewed opportunity 
By Lance Watkins, VP, client services, Sedgwick MCO

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has updated the Transitional Work Grant (TWG) Program to simplify the process and make the grant funds easier to access for Ohio employers.  The TWG was initially introduced in 2001 and assisted thousands of employers in the development of a formal transitional work program to facilitate early return-to-work for injured employees.

Employers that offer transitional work opportunities for injured employees benefit in two ways.  First, providing flexible options for injured employees to return to the workplace earlier, perhaps while still recovering, minimizes the cost of the workers’ compensation claim and limits its negative impact on premium rates and future premium discount options.  Secondly, keeping knowledgeable and experienced employees in the workplace helps maintain morale and productivity throughout the organization. 

A common misconception about workplace injuries and physical restrictions  is that an employee cannot be productive unless he or she can fully perform 100% of their job duties.  While every situation is different and there can be challenges along the way, it is common for a workplace injury to limit only a small portion of an employee’s typical workday.  One of the benefits of a formal transitional work program is that it establishes a framework for all parties to examine the physical requirements of the job and identify specific activities that can still be safely performed. 

The Transitional Work Grant provides for a BWC-certified transitional work developer to formulate this process and in terms that employers, employees and treating physicians can agree on.  This involves implementing a formal policy, arranging community resources (local medical providers), training employees and supervisors, and developing functional job analyses that specify the physical requirements of several jobs within the organization.  The policy portion of the program can be constructed to address post-injury management responsibilities of employees and supervisors, such as injury report timing, documentation, communication and available benefits.  The structure of a transitional work program provides employers with more control over the claim and return-to-work process.

State-funded employers are eligible to apply for the grant if workers’ compensation coverage is active and the policy is in good standing, and the organization has been in business for at least 2 years and has at least 11 employees.  Employers that have received he transitional work grant in the past – at least five years ago – are now eligible for a new grant to update their program.  The cost of development is reimbursed at 100%, up to the maximum grant allowed based on the number of employees.  Your MCO or TPA service representative can provide further details and benefits of the Transitional Work Program, and help you connect with a certified developer to initiate the process.  For more details on the transitional work grant, click here or if you have Sedgwick MCO as your MCO please feel free to reach out to them at ClientServices@Sedgwickmco.com.