Mr HP was a 46 year old machine operator. He developed a rotator cuff disorder, with a tear in the muscle at his shoulder. Two cortisone injections only provided very short-term relief so he had the recommended surgery.

Unfortunately the surgery was complicated, and while Mr HP improved he never regained the ability to do manual activities with his right arm in the outstretched position or above shoulder height.

He therefore required long term modified duties.

The workplace employed approximately 100 staff. About half of them worked as machine operators, and the rest were in varying duties such as maintenance, packing, warehousing and administration.

The return to work coordinator endeavoured to find different duties for Mr HP as there were no reasonable duties as a machine operator that matched his restrictions. 

The workplace wanted to assist Mr HP to move into a different job. He was asked to list his skills, previous work history, and thoughts about other work options. 

His employer learned he had a forklift license and a medium rigid truck licence. He had an extensive background as a machine operator, and had also done one year of an accountancy course before dropping out of university in his early 20s.

Mr HP thought he may be able to drive a forklift, but was concerned about the manual handling regularly required at that workplace. The company had no requirement for truck drivers.  Warehousing duties required repeated out-reaching and were not appropriate.

Their return to work coordinator asked him his views about becoming a bookkeeper, noting his early studies. Mr HP expressed an interest in it. He was asked to find out what study requirements were needed to become qualified. He returned to the coordinated a week later, identifying a particular TAFE course, and an online study option.

The return to work coordinator spoke with the human resources department.  There was no particular requirement for a bookkeeper, but the department said duties in the accounts area could be provided for six months, to support his training and development.

Mr HP was advised there were no long term duties at that workplace for him as a bookkeeper, but the company would be prepared to support him with training and work experience while he completed his studies. They would also provide similar duties for two months after he completed his course, and support and allowed him to look for suitable jobs.

He was also given the option of being assisted to find work as a machine operator in another factory, where less overhead work was required, or to find work as a truck driver.

Mr HP was armed with the options, and aware that retraining and finding another job would likely take at least a year. After speaking with his wife, Mr HP took the option of retraining with a view to moving into less physical work in the long term.

Key learnings:

Early identification of cases where a worker is not able to return to the normal job helps with effective approaches to rehabilitation.

Engagement of the worker in identifying other job options makes it more likely those options will be pursued. It enhances the likelihood the person will have an interest in the option being pursued.