Suitable duties

Suitable duties are an important part of supporting a worker to recover at work.

Depending on a worker’s personal situation, getting back to their normal job role or duties after a work-related injury or illness might take some time. This doesn’t mean a worker can’t get back to work though. Employers should encourage workers back to work as soon as they’re able and let them do different work, hours or days if needed.

Having suitable duties available is important to support a worker's return to work. A worker may need to begin with alternative duties and include more tasks as their capacity for work changes.

An insurer works with all parties, including a worker and their employer and treating health providers, to ensure everyone is aware of where a worker is with their rehabilitation and to support a worker to stay at, or return to, work.

What does 'suitable duties' mean?

Some injuries might mean it’s not safe or possible for a worker to do the tasks, hours or days that are part of their normal job. Employers need to find other work for workers to do, if they can. This is called 'suitable duties' or is sometimes also called 'alternative duties'.

Even though workers may have an injury, there are still ways they can contribute positively to their workplace. An employers will look at a worker’s skills and experience when it comes to finding suitable duties.

If suitable duties cannot be provided, a worker might need to stay away from work longer to recover. However, a safe return to work as soon as possible is better for a worker’s health and wellbeing, and is likely to have a positive impact on their recovery.

There are lots of proven benefits to suitable duties for both workers and employers.

Benefits for workers

• Maintain a routine.
• Ongoing income during recovery.
• Regain confidence in work and increase strength gradually.
• Develop or learn new skills.

Benefits for employers

• The effect on an insurance premium is reduced.
• The level of skill and expertise in the workforce stays the same or is strengthened.
• No need to train new staff, which takes extra resources.
• Meet legal obligations.

Depending on the workplace, a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator may be assigned. They’ll work with an employer to put together a suitable duties program that's right for a worker’s circumstance and for the workplace. If a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator isn’t assigned, an insurer or a workplace rehabilitation provider can also assist with putting the suitable duties program together. It will then be approved by the treating doctor.

More information can be found on the Suitable duties program page.

For more information on why it’s beneficial to be back at work, take a look at a study on the health benefits of good work.

What if suitable duties are not available?

There might be some cases where an employer can’t offer suitable duties for safety or practical reasons. This doesn’t mean a worker has to stay at home until they are fully recovered.

An insurer can make arrangements for a worker to work for a host employer while they recover. This means a worker can make use of their skills and abilities and maintain an income until they’re able to go back to their normal job. Insurers can provide more information about host employment.