Return to Work After an Injury: What It Really Means for Restaurants

If you have ever thought, “Return to work means I’m paying someone to do nothing,” here’s the point. Return to work is not about busywork. It is about recovery, routine, and keeping the claim from dragging on.

What return to work actually means

Return to work means “getting somebody back after they’ve been injured in the workplace, in some capacity,” said Randy Bugg, Vice President at Pacific Claims Management, CRMBC’s Third-Party Administrator.

For restaurants, “some capacity” detail is where restaurants either win (or lose the plot).

What changes when return to work drags

When return to work stretches out, three things tend to happen at the same time:

1. The employee loses routine and confidence, and the longer they are out, the harder it is to restart.

2. The workload shifts to the rest of the team, which creates coverage gaps, fatigue, and morale issues.

3. The claim becomes more complicated and more expensive as wage replacement and benefit eligibility questions pile up.

In a self-insured group, the cost does not disappear if the employee stays out. It shifts from payroll to claim dollars and replacing wages. As Randy Bugg put it: “As a self-insured group, don’t forget, this is your money.”

Why it matters

Being out of work can create isolation, uncertainty, and anxiety. Staying connected and returning safely, when appropriate, reduces friction and supports recovery. As Marmalade Cafe founder and CRMBC Board Member Selwyn Yosslowitz put it, “We don’t want anyone sitting around and not feeling part of the team.”

When someone is out, the work shifts to other employees. These issues can manifest as coverage gaps, fatigue, and morale problems. Return-to-work decisions can connect to wage replacement. In certain cases, California benefit programs may apply when suitable work is not offered, which is why early coordination and clear documentation matter.

What “good” looks like without turning this into a playbook

Here’s a practical, high-level picture of what tends to work.

1. The injured worker is not left in the dark

Consistent communication and a clear point of contact reduce uncertainty and help avoid surprises later.

2. The operation looks for useful, low-risk work within restrictions

Modified duties are a standard way to support recovery when restrictions are temporary. In restaurants, that often means finding work that is real and useful, but lower-risk. Examples operators have used include:

• Polishing silverware
• Cleaning menus
• Simple inventory counts
• Sorting paperwork or basic admin organization (non-sensitive)
• Guest feedback call-backs
• Counting customers for a short period to validate staffing patterns

3. The claims team is looped in early, and the file reflects reality

CRMBC’s guidance on working effectively with your claims administrator is consistent: clear communication and documentation prevent avoidable pain later. “If they’re not making that pre-injury wage, we owe them wage loss,” said Randy Bugg, Vice President at Pacific Claims Management.

Reduced hours can create wage-loss friction

A return to work at reduced hours or pay can create confusion and admin churn. Looping in the claims team early keeps the file aligned with what is happening in the operation.

“Too soon” creates re-injury risk and fear

Operators are right to be cautious about aggravation and re-injury. “There’s always the risk…they’ll have an aggravated work injury while returning to work too soon,” said Selwyn Yosslowitz. Return to work should align with restrictions and medical readiness.

Ultimately, return to work is a coordination exercise, not a paperwork exercise. Stay connected, match work to restrictions, and loop in your claims team early so the file reflects what is happening in the real world. If you are unsure what “some capacity” can look like in your operation, call your claims team early and talk through restrictions and options before weeks slip by.