The best possible outcome after an injury or illness is being ready and able to return to your regular position. However, even if you’re ready to return to work, medical restrictions may prevent you from returning to your regular job. In that case, you may be able to return to work in a different, light-duty capacity while still receiving medical benefits. Research shows that the sooner you return to work, the more likely you’ll preserve future income and health.

Below, you’ll find information on returning to your regular position and to a lighter-duty job.

Returning to Your Regular Position

To return to work, you must have your physician complete and submit an updated Activity Prescription Form (APF) stating that you’re fit for duty and can return to work with no restrictions.

If you’ve been off for more than six months, you’ll need to meet the department’s return-to-work requirements. The program is coordinated by the Training Division at the Joint Training Facility (JTF).

Returning to a Lighter-Duty Job

The department may offer light-duty work within your medical restrictions while you recover. Light-duty doesn’t have to be directly related to the work you were performing at the time of injury.

Light-Duty Jobs

Depending on the severity of your injury and/or the type of work you do, you may have difficulty returning to work right away. If there is a need within the department that accommodates your physician-determined limitations, the department shall provide you with a modified-duty job. When your physician determines it’s medically necessary, you may have the option to perform the job on a part-time basis.

Note that your physician-directed physical therapy can be performed as a part of your light-duty schedule.

Issues that will be considered in determining whether a modified job is feasible for you include:

• Can your regular job be temporarily modified? In some cases, the physical demands of your job can be temporarily modified to accommodate physical restrictions. This may include part-time or light-duty work. Note that this option is not available to Operations personnel.
• Light-duty or transitional work could be:
  • Working shorter hours.
  • Performing some of your original duties part-time and gradually increasing to full-time work.
  • Performing different duties with lighter physical demands and gradually transitioning back to your original duties.
  • Adjusting your job or worksite to meet your physical limitations by providing tools, equipment, or appliances.
• Can you return to a new job with the department? A different permanent job, in line with your physical restrictions, may sometimes be available with the department or the city.

Collaborate With the City and Department

The city and L&I require you to actively participate in all return-to-work activities while you are receiving benefits. When the city offers you light duty, or you discuss work you can do with them, you are participating in your healing process. Some injuries are so severe that you can’t return to work right away. With most injuries, however, an early, medically approved return to work makes sense. While working a modified duty position, you continue to earn service credits. Working 45 hours per pay period in modified duty will earn you full service credits.

It is common to have concerns about returning to work and its impact on your claim. Don’t let these concerns stop you from talking to the department’s Disability Officer. You can continue to receive treatment for your accepted work-related conditions until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.

Talk with the Disability Officer about work you may be able to perform while you heal.