As more people experience occupational injuries and illnesses —and as our workforce grows older— being off work due to health issues is becoming a serious concern. This affects not just the individuals involved, but also employers, the healthcare system, and the economy as a whole. One promising solution is called “Graded Return to Work” (GRTW), which helps employees ease back into their jobs by slowly increasing their hours and responsibilities. Research shows that this approach improves the chances of a full recovery and return to regular work, while also reducing costs linked to long-term absence.

Despite its benefits, GRTW is not always applied consistently, and many workers face challenges during the process. While we know a lot about what helps people start GRTW, we still don’t fully understand what makes it successful over time. To address this gap, a new Belgian study is developing a practical tool to support both employees and occupational health professionals throughout the GRTW journey.

The project will unfold in four phases: first, reviewing existing tools; second, working with experts to define what a good support tool should include; third, designing and testing a new two-part tool; and finally, evaluating how well the tool works in real-life settings. The goal is to create a validated, user-friendly resource that helps guide and structure the return to work process, making it smoother and more effective for everyone involved.