Inability to Return-to-Work

An employee who is on a leave of absence from work as a result of an injury, illness or disability situation may be deemed medically unfit to return-to-work (RTW) in the foreseeable future.

Key Steps

1. The employee should advise their manager without delay if their treating physician determines there is no possibility for a Return-to-Work (RTW) in the foreseeable future.  In such circumstances, the employee should provide their manager with written medical information stating this prognosis.
2. The manager and employee should collaborate in discussing the employee’s elective separation options, which are:
   • Resignation,
   • Retirement, or
   • Application for Retirement on Medical Grounds.
3. The employee should contact the Public Service Pension Centre for relevant information with respect to their elected separation options. Once the information and documentation has been provided to the employee by the Pension Centre, it is recommended that the employee thoroughly review their options in consultation with their financial advisor.
4. In a timely manner, the employee must determine their separation decision and notify the manager. The manager and employee should agree on a timeline.
5. It is recommended that the manager immediately communicate with the  Human Resources Service Centre in a situation where their employee refuses to proceed with a separation option within a reasonable and determined timeframe.
6. The employee must establish an actual separation date. The manager and employee must complete the Separation Clearance Process (for retirement) in a timely manner.