The Fundamentals - Remain-at-Work Plan

A remain-at-work plan is a proactive way for managers to help injured, and, where appropriate, ill employees stay at work if it is safe to do so. Remain-at-work plans are intended to be transitional and for a fixed duration. These plans may, when required, be integrated into an accommodation plan of an ongoing nature.

Remain-at-work plans are based on the beliefs that:

• Adjustments and accommodations can often be made to the workplace so that the employee can safely remain at work;
• Many employees can safely perform productive and meaningful work while they are recovering from an injury or illness;
• Some illnesses are episodic, and adjustments to the workplace / work environment can be made to have employees attached to the workplace through remain-at-work planning; and
• Attachment to work is beneficial and part of recovery for employees.

When establishing a remain-at-work plan:

• Discuss potential workplace barriers, where applicable, to ensure that they have been identified, addressed and mitigated where possible;
• Assess the situation with employees—different situations require different solutions. Unions representatives can assist, at the employee's request;
• Involve Human Resources staffing actions that may be required—identify and discuss options; and
• Outline work adjustments, objectives and expectations where they need to be modified.