How does the Bureau define “unemployed” when determining whether a reemployment status review must be conducted?
It is the intent of 440.491, Florida Statutes, to implement a systematic review of factors that are predictive of longer-term disability and to encourage the provision of medical care coordination and reemployment services necessary to assist the employee in returning to work as soon as medically possible. Because many companies / employers maintain a practice of keeping a position open until the individual has recovered, if the term “unemployed” were to mean no job was being held for the person, then it would appear to defeat the intent of 440.491, Florida Statutes. In other words, carriers would be less inclined to review factors predictive of longer-term disability because the individual has a job waiting. However, in reality, the job may be unrealistic for the individual in light of their injury; for example, a construction worker with multiple bulging or herniated discs compounded by a shoulder injury.
Related Questions
- Must a carrier report its findings from a reemployment status review to the Department of Education, Bureau of Rehabilitation and Reemployment Services?
- How does the Bureau define "unemployed" when determining whether a reemployment status review must be conducted?
- How does a carrier report its findings from a reemployment status review to the Bureau?
