A message to Coordinators from Michael Francis
Michael Francis commenced as CEO of ReturnToWorkSA in September 2019, replacing the retired Rob Cordiner. Michael has extensive experience in work injury insurance, having previously worked for ReturnToWorkSA. As a trained Return to Work Coordinator, Michael understands the importance of the Return to Work Coordinator role in supporting the recovery and return to work of workers and has a personal message to all Coordinators.
As a Return to Work Coordinator you play an important role in helping people to realise the health benefits of work. But more importantly, you provide support to workers during what can be a very vulnerable time; following a work injury. You would have read many times over the compelling statistics about the poor health outcomes for people who are not working for long periods of time, for whatever the reason might be.
My message to you is less about the technicalities of facilitating a return to work outcome, and more about the ‘care’ factor. If you seek first to deliver a message that says you and your workplace care about the person, the impact of the injury on them, and the angst it might be causing that person and those close to them, it will put you in a great position to support the person back to work.
Put simply, care first and the rest comes after that.
If you would like to discuss how you can best support your workers during their recovery and return to work, contact our Employer Education Advisor, Houda Peters, on 8238 5944 or email coordinators@rtwsa.com.
Date printed: 17 Jul 2025
