POUAKI OLA ACC RETURN TO WORK
SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO WORK SAFELY
When an employee is recovering from an injury, the right support can help make their return to work safer, more manageable and more sustainable.
Pouaki Ola, Langimālie Health’s ACC Return to Work Support Service, works alongside eligible employees, their healthcare team and – with their consent – their employer. Together, we can identify potential barriers, consider suitable duties and help develop a practical plan for returning to work.
Returning to work after an injury is not always straightforward. An employee may need help understanding their ACC medical certificate, managing the practical effects of their injury, and coordinating with the different people involved in their recovery.
HOW POUAKI OLA CAN HELP
OUR ACC NAVIGATORS CAN HELP THE EMPLOYEE TO
Understand their ACC certificate and return-to-work options
Identify barriers that may affect their return
Explore suitable or selected duties where these are safe
Develop a practical return-to-work plan
Coordinate with their GP, nurse, ACC and other support services
Keep everyone appropriately informed as the plan progresses.
We will communicate with an employer only when the employee has given consent and there is a clear reason to do so.
HOW EMPLOYERS CAN HELP
A supportive and flexible workplace can make a significant difference to an employee’s recovery.
Depending on the employee’s needs and the nature of the workplace, you may be able to help in the following ways:
Keeping in touch in an appropriate and supportive way
Discussing what the employee can safely do, rather than focusing only on what they cannot do
Considering temporary changes to duties, hours or working arrangements
Making sure agreed duties are clearly understood by the employee and their manager
Checking in regularly and adjusting the plan as necessary
Working constructively with the employee, their healthcare team and ACC.
Every injury and workplace is different. Any return-to-work arrangement should reflect the employee’s medical guidance, capabilities and individual circumstances.
WHO IS THE SERVICE FOR?
Pouaki Ola is available to eligible Langimālie Health patients with an ACC injury claim or an ACC medical certificate who may need additional support to return to work safely.
The employee’s Langimālie clinician, nurse, reception team, or ACC Navigator can identify when additional return-to-work support may be helpful.
If one of your employees is a Langimālie patient who could benefit from the service, encourage them to contact their Langimālie clinic in Onehunga, Ōtāhuhu, Kelston, or Panmure, or speak with their healthcare team.
Returning to work after an injury is not always straightforward. An employee may need help understanding their ACC medical certificate, managing the practical effects of their injury, and coordinating with the different people involved in their recovery.
HOW POUAKI OLA CAN HELP
OUR ACC NAVIGATORS CAN HELP THE EMPLOYEE TO
Understand their ACC certificate and return-to-work options
Identify barriers that may affect their return
Explore suitable or selected duties where these are safe
Develop a practical return-to-work plan
Coordinate with their GP, nurse, ACC and other support services
Keep everyone appropriately informed as the plan progresses.
We will communicate with an employer only when the employee has given consent and there is a clear reason to do so.
DOWNLOAD THE EMPLOYER TOOLKIT
Our Employer Toolkit provides practical guidance to help managers, HR teams and workplace supervisors support an injured employee during their return to work.
THE TOOLKIT INCLUDES
An overview of the Pouaki Ola service
Guidance on supporting an employee after an injury
Information about suitable or selected duties
Practical return-to-work planning considerations
Contact information for the Pouaki Ola team.
ORDER FREE WORKPLACE RESOURCES
You can request printed copies of the Pouaki Ola poster and employee flyer to:
Display on staff or lunchroom noticeboards
Provide to managers, team leaders or HR staff
Give to employees who may benefit from the service.
PRIVACY AND CONSENT
We respect the privacy of every employee who uses the service.
We will explain what information may need to be shared and will contact an employer only with the employee’s consent and for a clear service-related reason. Health information will not be shared without appropriate consent.
Employers are welcome to contact us with general questions about Pouaki Ola. We can discuss an individual employee or their return-to-work plan only where the necessary consent is in place.
WORKING TOGETHER
A safe return to work is more likely when the employee, employer and healthcare team communicate clearly and work towards a shared, realistic plan.
Pouaki Ola is here to help make that process easier.
Pouaki Ola ACC Return to Work Support Service
0800 030 902
Langimālie Health | Tongan Health Society