When an employee experiences a workplace injury in California, returning to work can be a complex process. Workers may be able to perform many of their previous duties, but their doctor may require them to avoid certain tasks. In these cases, light duty work can help ease the transition back into the workplace. What should injured workers know about light duty work?
What is light duty work?
Light duty work plays a crucial role in workers’ recovery and their return to the workplace. Light duty work is a temporary adjustment to a job assignment made to accommodate an employee’s medical condition following a work-related injury.
This type of work allows an injured worker to perform their job duties in a modified, less strenuous capacity than their regular role. Light duty work can help employees remain active and avoid the pitfalls of long-term disability.
What might light duty work include?
The specific modifications you make to your work depend on the tasks you perform, your recovery needs and your employer’s ability to provide alternatives. Light duty work can include a variety of modifications to your work, including:
- Changes to the number of hours worked
- Avoiding of certain tasks that are too physically demanding, like heavy lifting or repetitive motions
- Providing equipment to help you perform tasks on the job, like providing seating if you cannot stand for long periods of time
- Performing alternative tasks that fit the worker’s current physical capabilities
Light duty work provides employees with an opportunity to heal while still contributing to their workplace and earning wages and benefits. This can help them protect both their health and their finances after a workplace injury.