Case Study
Fitness to Work Assessment and Return to Work Planning, Retail
Meet Jane...
Meet Jane, Jane is a full-time retail worker who had been off work for five months after undergoing a total knee replacement. She was anxious about returning to work because her job involved lifting, carrying, and being on her feet for prolonged periods. Although Jane had progressed well with her post-surgical rehabilitation, she still experienced some discomfort and swelling in her knee, which worsened with prolonged walking or standing. She was eager to return to work but worried about managing her work tasks and was referred by her manager for a fitness to work assessment and return to work planning.
assessment
Jane’s main concerns included:
- Prolonged standing and walking: Causing discomfort and swelling in her knee.
- Lifting and carrying: Unsure if she could handle the physical demands of her job.
- Anxiety about returning to work: Fear of not being able to perform her duties as before. And letting down colleagues.
- Concern about her finances: Being unable to work had greatly affected her finances and with a mortgage and bills to pay she was eager to earn.
We carried out a fitness to work assessment during which we hand an open, supportive conversation about Jane’s rehabilitation journey so far, how she felt about returning to work and what she felt capable of doing at work.
We then examined the specific tasks involved in her job and carried out objective tests to measure her physical ability to perform those tasks. After establishing a baseline, we determined that Jane was fit to return to work gradually, with some adjustments.
Our Plan
To ensure a smooth and confident return to work, we developed a phased plan together with Jane and her manger, tailored to Jane’s needs and capabilities:
- Weeks 1-2:
- Schedule: 3 days per week, shorter shifts.
- Tasks: Desk-based duties to allow frequent sitting and movement.
- Adjustments: Desk based duties. Regular movement breaks (20-30mintues).
- Weeks 3-4:
- Schedule: Increased to 4 days per week.
- Tasks: Gradual reintroduction to standing tasks on the factory floor for short periods (1 hour at a time).
- Adjustments: Provided a perching stool so Jane could sit if needed.
- Week 4 Review:
- Meeting: A check-in meeting with Jane, and her manager to review her progress.
- Feedback: Re-assessed Jane’s ability to carry out her job tasks and ensured both she and her manager were comfortable with the plan.
- Weeks 5-6:
- Tasks: Gradual increase in standing and walking tasks as tolerated.
- Support: Ongoing monitoring and adjustments as needed to ensure Jane’s comfort and confidence.
Results...
By the end of the six weeks, Jane was fully back at work. A gradual return together with some adjustments to her work tasks ensured she was able to reintegrate back into the workplace without overwhelming her knee. Jane felt more confident, her discomfort was minimised, and she was able to perform her job effectively. Having a clear plan also alleviated Jane’s manager’s concerns about her return to work, enabling them to better understand and accommodate Jane’s needs.
Jane’s case highlights the value in determining a person’s fitness to work after injury or illness and the importance of devising a personalised return-to-work plan in facilitating a successful transition back to work.
By understanding her specific needs and making gradual, supportive adjustments, we helped Jane return to work confidently and safely.
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