FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS DIVISION

FACILITIES & PLANNING

 Modified Duty - Return To Work

 Policy #F&P 2003-21

 I. PURPOSE

 To return employees from a work-related injury to modified duty as permitted by a medical provider.

 II. OBJECTIVE

 1. To allow the employee to remain in the work force and resume productive employment as soon as possible in their normal classification.

 2. To enable the worker to gradually overcome their limitations through modified duty and/or work reconditioning assignments.

 III. POLICY

 1. All departments will cooperate in every way possible to provide regular duties on a limited basis, modified basis and/or special assignments for the disabled employee.

 2. Every effort will be made to assist the employee to return to their former position.  The University will cooperate with the employee, the physician, therapist, and any other rehabilitation personnel involved in the case.

 3. Temporary, modified duty may be offered whenever possible for a period of 120-calendar days.  The progress of the employee will be reviewed every 30 days to determine the degree of improvement. 

 4. An extension in excess of 120 days may be allowed on a case-by-case basis when recovery is incomplete but improvement continues and additional time will potentially allow for recovery and a return to full duty.  Such extensions will be reviewed every 30-calendar days and modified duty may continue only in those cases where improvement continues to be demonstrated.

 5. Consistent with current Commonwealth practice, the University may assign the employee duties outside their classification and bargaining unit, outside their previously assigned shift and/or outside their overtime equalization unit.