Exploring the Recover at Work (RAW) Program

what is the RAW program

Injury at work continues to be a serious problem across Australia, causing not only pain and distress, but also negatively affecting injured workers’ futures and the economic well-being of the industry.

The Recover at Work program in Queensland is recognised to be beneficial to injured workers and industry alike. It allows injured workers (who are not yet able to return to the duties of their original job) to do a work placement with another employer.

How does the RAW program help injured workers?

It is generally recognised that the ability to keep on working in some capacity can help workers in their recovery. If it is not possible for an injured worker to carry out their previous duties, and their employer cannot find any means of accommodation, the Recover at Work program can give injured workers temporary placements with other employers.

How does the RAW program work?

Employers who take part in the Recover at Work program are called “host employers”. Host employers commit to having an injured worker work in their workplace for usually between three and six weeks.

When an injured worker is taken on by a host employer, a suitable duties program is created and WorkCover Queensland covers the wages paid. Suitable duties plans are always overseen by a WorkCover customer advisor. The WorkCover customer advisor is always in contact with the employee and host employer, as well as the doctor and allied health professionals involved in the treatment of the injured worker.

Why should employers want to become host employers in the RAW program?

The Recover at Work program offers several advantages to prospective host employers. Let’s go over them here:

Host employers can benefit from labour funded by WorkCover
If host employers are happy with an injured worker’s performance and wishes to hire them in the future (if the worker isn’t able to return to their original job), this is a possibility. There is no obligation at all to provide future employment.
Host employers are contributing to their industry by helping to keep skilled workers within it.
Host employers earn recognition from others in the industry for taking a leadership role and demonstrating a social conscience.
Host employers enjoy protection against any costs that could be involved in additional claims.

How are injured workers brought into the RAW program?

Injured workers can enter the Return to Work program if it is found that their current employer no longer has suitable duties for them. Once it has been determined that this is the case, WorkCover will make the worker and current employer aware of the option of host employment. After that, location and industry are considered as a RAW employer is found. A worksite assessment must then be carried out before the placement begins.

The program must consider the following factors when setting up an injured worker in a placement. These are:

The worker’s medical status, injury, and current functional capacity.
The worker’s experience, skills, age, and education.
The host employer’s procedures and policies for workplace rehabilitation.
The results of the host workplace’s work site assessment.

There are certain circumstances that may cause the early end of a host placement. These can include changes in the worker’s level of incapacity and advice provided by WorkCover, or the host employer.

The RAW program is making real contributions to the industry?

When host employers take part in the Recover at Work (RAW) program by offering placements to injured workers, they are potentially benefiting both the worker's well-being and future potential, as well as the industry overall.

For more information, you can make enquiries here.

Alternatively, our consultants love to have a chat, so go ahead and give us a call on 1300 OHS RTW (647 789).