Building a workplace mental wellness strategy

What Return to Work (RTW) Support Really Is

RTW is a structured, supported transition, not a flip-the-switch event.

Sometimes, employees who've been out on leave have concerns about their ability to return to work, life, and health successfully. Regardless of whether employees were on leave for mental health or other reasons, you are in a unique position to help employees ease into work after time away.

Effective RTW:

  • Focuses on capability and progression
  • Normalizes gradual reintegration
  • Reduces relapse and re-leave
  • Aligns managers, HR and disability partners

Think of Stay at Work and Return to Work as one continuum.

  • Stay at Work = prevent leave when possible
  • Return to Work = prevent relapse and re-leave after absence

Aligned stay at work and return to work strategies may result in:

  • Improved recovery outcomes
  • Shortened STD durations
  • Reduced stigma around mental health
  • Better employee experience
  • Strengthened manager confidence 

Services a Disability insurance carrier may offer:

  • Early and proactive intervention to prevent prolonged disability
  • Personalized case management 
  • Multi-stakeholder coordination (medical providers, employers, claimants)
  • Job modification analysis to match capabilities with job demands
  • Transitional return to work planning to support a gradual return
  • Ongoing support throughout the transition process

Learn about Sun Life’s approach to providing return to work support for its disability members.

Your EAP is a valuable resource for employees who are returning to work after a leave

Learn how to maximize your organization’s EAP program. 

Learn More

Crisis Help & Resources:

Return to Work programs deliver proven results, with studies demonstrating that 76% to 82% of employees successfully return within 12 months.“

- U.S. Department of Labor

In all states, except New York, Absence services are provided by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, MA). In New York, Absence services are provided by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, MI). Absence services are not insurance and are not legal advice.

This content is not to be considered legal advice. We recommend that Clients speak with legal counsel as necessary.

Group insurance policies are underwritten by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, MA) in all states except New York. In New York, group insurance policies are underwritten by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, MI).

© 2026 Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. All rights reserved. Sun Life Financial and the globe symbol are registered trademarks of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. Visit us at www.sunlife.com/us.

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