Transitional Work is a temporary, medically-approved modification of an employee's work duties during the transitional period of his or her medical recovery. While the employee is medically recovering from an injury or illness, he or she may not be able to perform his or her usual and customary work duties. Temporarily modifying the employee's work duties may allow him or her to continue to work, maintaining his or her income and preserving his/her Sick Leave and Vacation accrual balances. Transitional Work plans are individually designed and carefully structured.

Although no one keeps a count of how many employees have disabilities, it is estimated that approximately 20% of Americans have work impairments.

Accommodations are "tailor made" to the individual based on his or her particular needs. Some Examples are:

• Ergonomic Modifications: for computer users or other employees who perform repetitive work. Changes in workstation set-up and/or purchase of ergonomic equipment can effect a change that allows an employee to continue working.
• Time Flexibility: starting earlier, leaving later, or working a reduced time schedule, can assist employees who need a gradual return to work after being ill or who are coping with a chronic illness.
• Job Restructuring: redistributing or redesigning tasks can assist a disabled worker in overcoming an otherwise work-limiting restriction.
• Specialized Equipment: using assistive technology can sometimes be helpful. Such items as voice activated computers, optical character recognition software, optical scanners, and voice synthesizers’ fall into this category.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services can facilitate these kinds of accommodations. Typically the County works with the employee's physician, supervisor, benefit/claims administrator and other staff, as appropriate, in order to develop an effective return to work plan that meets both employee and departmental needs.

For more information regarding modified duty or reasonable accommodation, please contact the Workers' Compensation Services Claims Administrator at (661) 868-3801.

Workers’ Compensation Services will automatically arrange for a workstation assessment as part of the workers' compensation claims process.

Employees may also call Workers’ Compensation Services directly at (661) 868-3801 should they have additional questions or to discuss an individual situation.

Kern County disabled employees unable to return to their current jobs and regularly assigned duties and responsibilities will be provided assistance in looking for alternate employment opportunities within the County in accordance with applicable policies, contractual provisions, and statutory guidelines, as appropriate.

If an injury permanently prevents an employee from returning to his or her usual and customary occupation, he or she may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits if the injury occurred prior to January 1, 2004. If the injury occurred on or after 1/1/04, the employee may be eligible for Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit. WCS or Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit will advise the employee of his or her potential eligibility. Interested employees may contact Claudette Smith at (661) 868-3866 for assistance in exploring modified or alternative work.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services has two (2) primary functions*:

• Providing a safe and healthy environment in which employees can work; and
• Returning disabled employees to work in accordance with applicable policies and statutory guidelines, as appropriate.

* For both work-related and non-work-related disabilities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals have background and experience in job modification, rehabilitation, and return to work planning for people with disabilities. Assistance is provided to managers, supervisors, and disabled employees seeking ways to overcome disability-related limitations. Most disabled employees can continue working if proper accommodations are made.

If an employee has filed a claim, he or she can ask his or her Workers' Compensation Services Claims Administrator at (661) 868-3801. Employees can also visit the Vocational Rehabilitation pages on this web site.