RTW programs have proven effective at reducing long term disability and improving injured workers’ outlook for transitioning back to work. Under current law, however, RTW programs are limited to the “employer of injury”. With this limitation, many small businesses, frontline workers and out of state workers cannot participate in RTW programs. WR is proposing to expand access to RTW programs by allowing injured workers to be placed with local non-profits to perform light duty volunteer work.

WR drafted the legislation and has run the proposal by several Labor and Industries decision makers as well as key legislators on both sides of the aisle and on the Labor Committees. We will build a large employer and worker support group to ensure passage of this beneficial measure.