HR Mgmt

U.S. Labor Department Official: Return-to-Work Support Should Be Advanced 'Early, Coordinated, and Continuously'

Julie Hocker, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, stated at the 2026 Disability Management Employer Coalition Annual Conference in Nashville that successful return-to-work programs should feature three key characteristics: 'early, coordinated, and continuous.' She cited data showing that the probability of an employee returning to work after 12 weeks of absence is about 50%, and declines significantly thereafter. Hocker believes that work itself is part of recovery, and employers should proactively build pathways for return. DMEC CEO Bryon Bass noted that only about 40% of employers have formal workplace support programs, a 7-percentage-point decrease from two years ago, which is concerning.