Articles

This page lists all practical and feature articles available on RTWMatters. From top ten tips, how to guides and case studies, through to webinar recordings and video interviews with industry experts.

Click the ‘Topics’ button below to drill down into all articles and research updates on your topic of interest.

Click the ‘Quick Guides’ button for practical bit sized guides that give you a sound basic knowledge base.

Do occ docs do it better?

contributorTom Barton

If patients who see an occupational doctor get better results, why isn't it common practice?

Employers' ten RTW commandments

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Simple, straightforward guidelines for ensuring injured employees have access to all their legal...

Common causes of workplace pain

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Understanding musculoskeletal pain will increase productivity and health.

Doctor, doctor give 'em the news

contributorTom Barton

We consider why doctors fail to communicate well about return to work, and offer strategies for...

Discrimination, harassment and RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

How can employers avoid real (or perceived) discrimination and harassment during the RTW process?

More than medical

contributorGabrielle Lis

Some people have a harder time managing their injury and returning to work than others. Are...

Train for success

contributorSuperDoc

Workers expect more from supervisors than supervisors are prepared to give - but training can...

Strategic implementation Q&A

contributorGabrielle Lis

How to take the long view and get where you want to go, faster.

Health and productivity in smaller workplaces

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

You can't afford hit and miss. What works, what doesn't and how can you market tried and true...

Just how painful is injury reporting?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Knowing when injury reports should be made and how they should be dealt with can reduce the pain...

Recovery from spinal surgery

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Spine surgeons who've had spinal surgery provide the know-how for this briefing paper on...

RTW Coordinators: be true to yourselves!

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Figuring out whether you're a team player or a solo flier, a nurturer or a strategist can make...

What's with 'That Department'?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Want something done at work? It helps to know what and who you're working with. Start by asking...

How to win change and influence people

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

A change is as good as a holiday, right? Time to implement change where it's needed.

Three attitudes that WON'T help return to work

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Not yet a RTW pro? A tip: avoid these three attitudes when dealing with an injured worker.

Quick Guide: Self efficacy

contributorGabrielle Lis

Not every injured or ill worker has the "I think I can" attitude of the Little Engine That...

A quick guide to managing cases

contributorGabrielle Lis

The who, what, where, when of RTW case management

Disability management pegged: Part 3

contributorGabrielle Lis

Iron out problems by taking action

Disability management pegged: Part 2

contributorGabrielle Lis

Identify "dirty" laundry and take it to the cleaners

Disability management pegged: Part 1

contributorGabrielle Lis

You don't have to hang anybody out to dry to get your systems pegged. Instead, make plans and...

Shouldering on

contributorGabrielle Lis

A fact sheet about shoulder pain, including workplace contributions and solutions

Top ten ways to reduce sick leave

contributorGabrielle Lis

Keep workers and reduce sick leave with a dose of sick leave sugar (and a dash of lemon!)

Eight RTW mantras to get you through

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Hand-selected return to work mantras to help your RTW experience run more smoothly.

Tennis elbow fact sheet

contributorGabrielle Lis

A down-the-line serve about work and tennis elbow, including good news about recovery and...

Resolving long-term claims

contributorGabrielle Lis

We profile a success story in identifying and dismantling non-medical barriers to RTW at Concord...

Signs of employee disengagement

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Advice on how to bite the signs of disengagement - before they bite you

Fact sheet: Medical certification in Australia

contributorGabrielle Lis

Sickness certificates can be dangerous. Proceed with caution!

How YOU can take charge of RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

A fact sheet for injured workers.

Suspicious Minds

contributorGabrielle Lis

Tips for supervisors who have their doubts about a worker's injury or compensation claim.

Come on get happy!

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Want a better workplace? Get happier. Here are some pointers on how.

Anxiety Q&A 3: Working with anxiety

contributorGabrielle Lis

This final instalment provides tips for helping anxious employees maintain their cool and remain...

Want to be a back pain superhero?

contributorGabrielle Lis

This comprehensive guide to helping workers with back pain will have you donning lycra in no time...

What is a RTW coordinator?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Jack of all trades? Conjurer of motivation and modified duties? Piggy in the middle? We lay it...

Suspicious about a claim at your small business?

contributorGabrielle Lis

There are three golden rules for small business owners who doubt the work-relatedness of an...

Highway to hell?

contributorRosemary McKenzie-Ferguson and Gabrielle Lis

What's it like to enter the workers' comp system as an ill or injured worker?

Anxiety Q&A Part 2: The costs

contributorGabrielle Lis

In part two of this three part series, we look at the personal, economic and work-related costs...

Back Pain & RTW

contributorCheryl Griffiths

Everything you need to know about back pain and RTW in one hit!

Communicating with "The System"

contributorRosemary McKenzie-Ferguson and Gabrielle Lis

Workers struggle to listen and be heard. How does this affect them?

Anxiety Q&A Part 1: The basics

contributorGabrielle Lis

tips for helping anxious employees maintain their cool and remain at work.

Fact sheet: PSYCHO WHAAT? PSYCHOSOCIAL!

contributorGabrielle Lis

The most common barriers to RTW are "psychosocial". Getting to know them makes it possible to...

Industry events & Training