10-1. Purpose
A. The Village of Royal Palm Beach recognizes that occasionally employees may not be able to perform the full duties of their position. If the employee is hurt, and their doctor by written notification has given them permission to return to work with a clear, objective list of work restrictions, the Village has taken the position of allowing such people to return to work in a light duty capacity if at the Village’s discretion, an appropriate position is available.
10-2. Return to Work Permission
A. Any person injured while on or off duty will be required to have in writing a note from their treating physician indicating the date the person will be able to return to work, and whether or not they have any restrictions. The restrictions will be objective so as to give the Village of Royal Palm Beach a clear understanding of what the person is able to do without further injuring themselves.
B. The Village reserves the right to get a second medical opinion of work related restrictions at the cost of the Village. Should the first and second opinions differ, the Village and Employee may pick a third physician and share the cost.
C. Once an employee has filed for short term disability and then returns to work, should the employee go back out on leave for the same ailment within a 12 month period, disability continues where it left off.
10-3. Light Duty
A. All employees will be considered for light duty on a case by case basis. Light duty is given to employees on a first come, first serve basis. In the event that two employees are injured during the same time frame, the work related or worker’s compensation injury will take priority for light duty assignments.
B. The Village of Royal Palm Beach is not obligated to create light duty positions.
C. Employees who are injured on the job do not have a choice whether or not to accept a light duty assignment. Employees injured off the job may apply for FMLA or a leave of absence depending on the nature of their injury, or may ask for a light duty assignment. The Village will not mandate an off the job injured person work light duty.
10-4. Notice To Employees
A. It is the Employees responsibility to inform their department manager and the Human Resource department of their work restrictions.
B. It is the Employees responsibility to follow the light duty restrictions given to them by their attending physician. Failure to follow light duty restrictions may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
C. The Village may alter an employees work schedule to accommodate a light duty work schedule. The Village will give at least 72 hours notice when a temporary schedule change is needed.
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