Supervisors
The supervisor is the key to any successful return to work initiative. The supervisor, working in tandem with: the injury compensation program administrator, the Department of Labor, and having and being open to exploring return to work alternatives, is a dependable formula for success. The Pipeline Program assists supervisors by providing a valuable underutilized resource: Skilled and experienced recovering employees, whose cost for training has been paid!
What's New
The Presidential POWER Initiative
On July 19, 2010, President Obama established a 4-year Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring Reemployment (POWER) Initiative, covering fiscal years 2011 through 2014. The POWER Initiative will extend prior workplace safety and health efforts of the Federal Government by setting more aggressive performance targets, encouraging the collection and analysis of data on the causes and consequences of frequent or severe injury and illness, and prioritizing safety and health management programs that have proven effective in the past... More
What is My Role in the Process?
As a supervisor/manager, you play a critical role in the reemployment process. The goal is to create a work environment where employees are motivated to return to work as soon as medically possible because they feel supported and they know their work is valued. Employees must see that there is a corporate culture that values them and their abilities. This attitude often requires more effort on the part of the employer and/or supervisor, because it is very common for an employee to feel depressed during a lengthy absence from work.
Supervisors can and should act in tandem with the employee and the ICPA and explore return to work alternatives. To facilitate safe and timely return of employees that are injured on the job, supervisors/managers can:
- Maintain a safe and healthy work environment for all employees
- Ensure injured employees are working within medical restrictions
- Coordinate with ICPAs to identify productive duty
- Coordinate with ICPAs to increase duties and productivity as deemed appropriate through medical documentation
- Notify ICPA of any change in duties made on behalf of any injured worker
- Notify ICPA if a reemployed injured worker does not appear for work without notice
- Notify ICPA if a reemployed injured worker complains of symptoms or indicates that they cannot perform the duties of the position offered
- Treat all employees with dignity and respect
Light Duty/Modified Position Descriptions (PD)
Factors that Influence Return to Work
Facts You Should Know About Early Return to Work Programs
Supervisor’s Checklist
Job Accommodations
Pipeline Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is workers' compensation and who is entitled to it?
Who pays for workers' compensation?
What is the chargeback system?
Can Pipeline funds be used to pay relocation expenses for injured employees returning to their former agency?
Why should I return to work an employee who cannot do his or her complete job?
What happens if an employee refuses suitable employment that honors his or her medical restrictions?
Can an employee who was on a temporary appointment return to work using Pipeline funding?
Do Pipeline funds cover overtime pay?
Can Pipeline funds be used for returning part-time employees?
Can returning employees be placed in any light duty position?
Department of Defense
Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service
HR Operational Programs & Advisory Services
Benefits and Worklife Division
Injury Compensation & Unemployment Compensation Branch
4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 05G21
Alexandria, VA 22350-1100
Commercial Phone: (571) 372-1663
FAX: (571) 372-1662
DSN Phone: 372-1663
DSN FAX: 372-1662
E-mail: ICUC Questions
E-mail: Pipeline Coordinator