In addition to the rules adopted under RCW 41.06.150, the director shall adopt rules establishing a state employee return-to-work program. The program shall, at a minimum:

Terms Used In Washington Code 41.06.490

  • Agency: means an office, department, board, commission, or other separate unit or division, however designated, of the state government and all personnel thereof; it includes any unit of state government established by law, the executive officer or members of which are either elected or appointed, upon which the statutes confer powers and impose duties in connection with operations of either a governmental or proprietary nature. See Washington Code 41.06.020
  • Classified service: means all positions in the state service subject to the provisions of this chapter. See Washington Code 41.06.020
  • Director: means the director of financial management or the director's designee. See Washington Code 41.06.020
  • Training: means activities designed to develop job-related knowledge and skills of employees. See Washington Code 41.06.020
(1) Direct each agency to adopt a return-to-work policy. The program shall allow each agency program to take into consideration the special nature of employment in the agency;
(2) Provide for eligibility in the return-to-work program, for a minimum of two years from the date the temporary disability commenced, for any permanent employee who is receiving compensation under RCW 51.32.090 and who is, by reason of his or her temporary disability, unable to return to his or her previous work, but who is physically capable of carrying out work of a lighter or modified nature;
(3) Require each agency to name an agency representative responsible for coordinating the return-to-work program of the agency;
(4) Provide that applicants receiving appointments for classified service receive an explanation of the return-to-work policy;
(5) Require training of supervisors on implementation of the return-to-work policy, including but not limited to assessment of the appropriateness of the return-to-work job for the employee; and
(6) Coordinate participation of applicable employee assistance programs, as appropriate.

NOTES:

Effective datePurpose2011 1st sp.s. c 43: See notes following RCW 43.19.003.
Short titleHeadings, captions not lawSeverabilityEffective dates2002 c 354: See RCW 41.80.907 through 41.80.910.
FindingsPurpose1990 c 204: See note following RCW 51.44.170.