Helping people through difficult times is at the heart of great leadership. When your team member is injured or unwell, your support as a people leader can have a lasting impact on their recovery, well-being, and connection to the team.
Supporting your team member through the return-to-work process can feel unfamiliar at first, but you don't need to be an expert to make a difference.
Here are five actions you can do to keep your team member connected, supported, and on the path to a successful recovery and return to work.
Connecting with your team member is one of the single most impactful things you can do. Reach out early and show genuine care. If you're unsure what to say, prepare in advance.
Research shows workers who receive early contact from their workplace are significantly more likely to return to work. Agree on a preferred contact method and check-in frequency. And during those conversations, reassure your team member that you're there to support them.
Keep them included in meetings, social events, and training where appropriate. That sense of connection is what keeps recovery moving forward.
You don't need to have all the answers. Your return-to-work coordinator is there to support and guide you through the process.
When you have regular, curious conversations with your team member, you help surface any issues before they become barriers. Escalating issues like payment delays or approval hold-ups early to your return-to-work coordinator will improve the return-to-work experience for everyone.
Each person brings something unique to the workplace, and your knowledge of your team member, their role, and their strengths means you are already well-placed to identify meaningful work that supports recovery while keeping them connected.
Focus on what they can do, not what they can't. Explore suitable duties, modified tasks, adjusted hours, or support options like equipment or training that allow them to contribute safely while building confidence and capability.
Good work improves physical and mental health and promotes faster recovery. Develop a recovery at work plan together with your return-to-work coordinator and your team member. When it's a collaborative process, concerns are identified earlier, trust grows, and recovery outcomes improve.
Returning to work can be overwhelming for everyone involved. Before their first day back, prepare yourself, your team, and your team member, and remember to always maintain the person's privacy and confidentiality.
Communicate what's been arranged, check in after their first day, review the plan after the first week, have regular check-ins with your return-to-work coordinator, and continue to include your team member in team activities.
Their connection to the team is an important part of their recovery.
Keep showing up the way you have been: consistent, communicative, and flexible.
If something isn't moving in the right direction, where you can, address any barriers with the worker first or escalate to your return-to-work coordinator or leader early.
You have a whole network of support behind you, including rehabilitation services and case conferences if and when they're needed.
With these five actions and the support around you, you are ready to guide your team member through their return to work with confidence.
Trust yourself and know that showing up for someone during a difficult time makes all the difference.
