{"id":4756,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/return-to-work-best-practices.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T05:29:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T10:29:08","slug":"return-to-work-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/return-to-work-best-practices.html","title":{"rendered":"Return to Work: Best Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Return to Work: Best Practices<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Since the 2020 pandemic, the logistics of "return to work" have taken on increased urgency. Employees returning to work after a prolonged absence may need accommodations. Small businesses may not have a human resources department to handle the back-to-work transition, so business owners must do the work themselves.<\/p>\r\n

Federal and state directives give specific protections to workers returning from extended medical leave. Workers’ compensation laws mandate a safe worksite before and after work-related injury or illness. Developing a safe workspace is an interactive process and involves the worker, the employer, and HR professionals.<\/p>\r\n

Returning to Work: Relevant Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Many different laws and agencies contain return-to-work requirements. These laws include:<\/p>\r\n