Having spent the last 3 years doing a project on RTW, I now look forward to returning to hands on RTW. What am I worth? A lot!!

I know what I am worth, but in looking at the salary of RTW Coordinators what are employers telling me about the worth of RTW Coordinators in their organisations?  Simply, valued or not?­.* 

Maybe I’m a job hunter snob, I look at the salary first – because the position description for RTW Coordinators is pretty generic.  

A below average salary indirectly tells me a lot about the organisation –‘That there has to be someone doing this role, but we don’t understand why or what you will actually do.  Really we just want the costs reduced, get them back to work or get rid of them. Your opinion will never be valued, and there is no scope for thinking outside the square. I am not going to spend money on improving the workplace. I want you to do a lot, but am not going to pay you for it. RTW Coordinators add no value they are just an expense.’

You might think I am drawing conclusions from nothing here, but in the past I have applied for and had interviews for these roles and know I would end up a process worker; have no autonomy; be cost driven; work long hours for little; and end up with a headache from banging my head against the wall.

Average and above salary tells me the worth of a RTW Coordinator to the organisation -  ‘We get what you do, we are just not sure how you do it. Strategic focus is still on cost reduction, but there is autonomy in how you achieve this. There is an expectation you will influence change and be creative in identifying solutions, at a minimum cost. You will work long hours but this will be acknowledged. RTW Coordinators have value in this workplace.’

I am not saying this kind of organisations has got it right, but I have worked in them and I at least know there is appreciation and acceptance of what I do; that I will be challenged; the stressors will be healthy ones; and slowly I can influence change. I might still end up with a headache, but how I get it won’t be quite so dramatic!

Salary tells me a lot, but it’s a competitive world and there are limited roles in RTW. Can you or I afford to be a job hunter snob? 

The answer is yes and no. Know your expectations in working as a RTW Coordinator. I know I can’t deal with being tied to a desk and solely focused on cost reduction. I need to be seen and heard, and be out there working together, educating, advising, identifying solutions and making RTW happen.  

You may think I have high expectations, in fact I don’t.  This is what we should all expect as a minimum working as a RTW Coordinator.  So, tell me, what are you worth?

* I am talking about straight RTW Coordinator roles and not jugglers (those with other HR and OHS hats).