Workplace facilitated discussions
A workplace facilitated discussion is a meeting conducted by an approved, suitably qualified, and accredited return to work services provider to resolve significant barriers in the workplace and support workers and employers in their return to work efforts.
- The discussion is facilitated in a supported environment to support the worker and their employer in agreeing on a plan for a healthy and safe return to work.
- This service is delivered by a return to work services provider who is accredited and appropriately qualified to moderate the discussions.
- Parties generally involved in a workplace facilitated discussion can include the worker, their support person, the employer, their line manager and/or supervisor and treating medical and allied health providers if desired.
When is a facilitated discussion suitable?
- Resolving workplace disagreements and repairing and/or maintaining relationships.
- Support the development of Suitable Duties Programs or Return to Work Plans.
- Facilitated agreement on recovery strategies and expectations resetting.
If you have a workplace relationship issue with your employer while you are recovering at work following a work injury or illness, talk to your WorkCover claim contact, or your return to work services provider (where already involved) to let them know the issues you are experiencing. Your nominated support person may be able to assist you in this process as required.
Your WorkCover claim contact may speak with you to see if a workplace facilitated discussion may help. If you agree to participate, they will make a referral to a return to work services provider who is approved to deliver workplace facilitated discussions.
If you have a workplace relationship issue with your employee while they are recovering at work following a work injury or illness, talk to your WorkCover claim contact or the return to work services provider (where already involved) to let them know the issues.
Your WorkCover claim contact may speak with you to see if a workplace facilitated discussion may help. If you agree to participate, they will make a referral to a return to work services provider who is approved to deliver workplace facilitated discussions.
If an injured person you are supporting is having a workplace relationship issue while they are recovering at work following a work injury or illness, you can raise the issue with their WorkCover claim contact
They may speak with you to help determine if a workplace facilitated discussion could help. If the parties agree to participate, WorkCover will make a referral to return to work services provider who can deliver workplace facilitated discussion.
Meeting location
- Location will be agreed upon by all parties - can be face-to-face, at the workplace, or remotely via phone or video as appropriate
- The meeting aims to understand issues impacting recovery, identify solutions, and develop an action plan with agreed timeframes.
- The plan should be agreed to by all parties and follow-up may occur to ensure the action plan is implemented.
Fee information for providers
- A workplace facilitated discussion can be covered as part of the accepted claim and is billed using item number 300413
- Please refer to the Return to Work Services - Table of Costs for more details