'Bring 'em Back' program aims to re-instate injured employees

The state Division of Workers' Compensation has launched "Bring 'em Back," a campaign providing information to small business employers about how to apply for reimbursement for purchases they make to help injured employees stay working while they recover.  Any employer with fewer than 50 full-time employees, whose employee was injured on the job after July 1, 2004, may qualify for reimbursement of up to:

● $1,250 for workplace modifications that bring a temporarily disabled employee back to work.
● $2,500 for workplace modifications that bring a permanently disabled employee back to work.

According to the agency, reimbursement can be for any of the following expenses, provided they are prescribed by a physician or are reasonably required by work restrictions laid out in a medical report: modification to the work site, equipment, furniture, tools or any other necessary costs reasonably required to accommodate an employee's restrictions.  Information: (510) 286-6990, or e-mail DWCReturntoWork@dir.ca.gov

Visit the Web site at www.dwc.ca.gov, and click the "Bring 'em Back" link in the right navigation pane.