College Policies

Temporary Modified Work Policy

  • Responsible executive: Associate Vice-President of Finance
  • Responsible officer: Risk Manager
  • Responsible office: Risk Services
  • Effective date: April 22, 2018

Associated policies

Policy statement

PCC will return employees (see Definitions) sustaining a work-related injury or illness (see Definitions) to work at the earliest date after the work-related injury or illness. This PCC Policy is designed to provide an injured employee, who is unable to perform their regular job duties, with a temporary modified work (TMW) (see Definitions) assignment during the period of recovery.

Policy exception

Any questions relative to the intent or application of this procedure should be directed to the Risk Manager who is delegated the responsibility for interpreting and implementing this procedure.

Purpose

PCC is committed to providing work, when possible, for employees with health care provider work restrictions due to a work-related injury or work-related illness. This policy designates how work-related injuries and illnesses will be managed at the College and will establish a Temporary Modified Work (TMW) program.

This policy also will also establish, consistent with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, the responsibilities of employees and the College as the employer.

Scope

This policy applies to employees who sustain a work-related injury or illness. This policy is not intended to modify any rights an employee may have under federal or state law, and is not a substitute for reasonable accommodation under any applicable federal or state law.

General use and responsibilities

  1. Report immediately, or by the end of your shift, all incidents that resulted or may have resulted in a work-related injury or illness, whether or not medical care is anticipated.
  2. Report the incident to your supervisor. If your supervisor is not available report the incident to the next-level supervisor or directly to Risk Services.
    • If immediate emergency medical assistance is needed contact Campus Public Safety at 971-722-4444 or 911.
  3. Complete the Online Injury or Property Incident Report.
    • If unable to complete the online report, contact Risk Services for assistance.

Policy violation

  1. Violation of the TMW policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
  2. An employee’s refusal of, or failure to report to work for, a bona fide TMW offer may result in reduction or termination of workers’ compensation benefits, loss of employment and reinstatement rights, and loss of eligibility for vocational assistance.

Complaint procedure

Alleged workers’ compensation and TMW assignment violations shall be reported to the Risk Manager or Human Resources.

Related governing standards, policies, and guidelines

  1. Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 656 – Workers’ Compensation
  2. Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 436 – Workers’ Compensation Division

Definitions

Employee
An Executive, Management, Confidential, Casual, Academic Professional, or Classified employee, Full or Part-time, as defined by PCC Human Resources. Students who are working in a practicum or internship are also considered “employees” for workers’ compensation and this TMW policy.
Notice of Available Work
A letter to the employee notifying them that temporary modified work is available for them; a description of the temporary modified work; and an acknowledgment of whether they will accept or decline the temporary modified work.
Temporary Modified Work (TMW)
A temporary work assignment that allows an employee to perform work tasks while they are recovering from a work-related injury or illness. The temporary modified work may be:

  1. The employee’s regular job has been temporarily modified, if necessary, to allow the employee to work within restrictions prescribed by their healthcare provider; or
  2. A job that is not the employee’s regular job where duties are within the restrictions prescribed by their healthcare provider.
Work-Related Illness
A condition or disease arising out of and occurring in the course and scope of employment. It is caused by substances or activities to which an employee is not ordinarily subjected or exposed other than during employment. Work-related illnesses, such as hearing loss or lung diseases, are usually the result of repeated exposure to an environmental factor.
Work-Related Injury
An injury such as a cut, fracture, or bruise that usually results from a single event arising out of and in the course of employment.