Melbourne, Australia – The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) has been recognized for its innovative approach to supporting employees returning to work after injury, earning the prestigious Leading Return to Work Practice Award at the 2025 WorkSafe Awards. This accolade, announced on February 26th, highlights the hospital’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and proactive environment for injured workers, fundamentally reshaping its return-to-work practices. The award underscores a growing recognition of the importance of prioritizing employee wellbeing and creating sustainable pathways back to the workforce following illness or injury.
The RMH’s success stems from a significant transformation of its Injury Management Team and a shift towards a partnership model. Traditionally, return-to-work programs often focused on administrative tasks and medical clearance. However, the hospital redefined roles within its team to emphasize collaboration between injured workers and their managers, cultivating a supportive atmosphere that prioritizes individual needs and recovery goals. This proactive approach, rather than a reactive one, has demonstrably improved outcomes for employees and reduced the impact of workplace injuries on the hospital’s operations. The hospital’s dedication to this model sets a new standard for return-to-work practices within the healthcare sector, and beyond.
The WorkSafe Awards, presented by WorkSafe Victoria, celebrate excellence in workplace health and safety and successful return-to-work initiatives across the state of Victoria. According to WorkSafe Victoria Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson, “The quality of this year’s entries was outstanding and I want to congratulate all of our finalists along with the worthy award winners.” Henderson further emphasized the inspiring nature of the stories of resilience from those returning to work and the dedication of those committed to workplace safety. The WorkSafe Awards recognize organizations and individuals who demonstrate a commitment to creating safer and healthier workplaces.
Redefining Return to Work: A Collaborative Approach
The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s award-winning “recovery at work” approach centers on open communication and shared responsibility. The hospital’s Injury Management Team worked to redefine the roles within the team, ensuring a partnership model that reinforces collaboration between injured workers and their managers. This collaborative framework allows for tailored return-to-work plans that address the specific needs of each individual, considering not only their physical limitations but as well their psychological and emotional wellbeing. A video released by WorkSafe Victoria details the transformation and highlights the benefits of this approach.
This shift in philosophy acknowledges that a successful return to work is not solely a medical process but a holistic one, requiring the active involvement of both the employee and their manager. By fostering a supportive and understanding environment, the RMH has been able to reduce barriers to return to work and improve employee engagement. The hospital’s proactive stance also extends to identifying potential hazards and implementing preventative measures to minimize the risk of future injuries.
Beyond RMH: Other 2025 WorkSafe Award Winners
The Royal Melbourne Hospital was one of eight organizations and individuals honored at the 2025 WorkSafe Awards, recognizing a diverse range of achievements in workplace health and safety. Seymour Whyte Constructions received the OHS Leadership/Achievement award for its work on the Healesville – Koo Wee Rup Road upgrade, demonstrating a commitment to safety on a major infrastructure project involving over 2,100 machines and 600,000 tonnes of material moved. Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre was recognized for its Excellence in Preventing and Managing Psychosocial Risk, addressing increasing instances of aggressive behavior among young people attending the center. Warakirri Cropping earned the Farm Safety Solution award for its tailored intervention to reduce psychological harm to its remote workers.
Individual awards were also presented to Maree McLean of St Mary’s Primary School Swan Hill and Dennis Gabriel of Yarrawonga Riverlands Tourist Park for their Worker Return to Work Achievement. Tree Coach – Natural Growth Partners received the Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year award, and Manny Mason of the City of Ballarat was named Health and Safety Representative of the Year. These awards collectively demonstrate a broad commitment to improving workplace safety and supporting workers across various industries in Victoria. A full list of winners and finalists can be found on the WorkSafe Victoria website.
The Importance of Psychosocial Risk Management
The recognition of Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre for its work in preventing and managing psychosocial risk highlights a growing awareness of the importance of mental health in the workplace. Psychosocial hazards, such as bullying, harassment, and excessive workload, can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. The center’s proactive approach, involving extensive consultation with staff, resulted in the development of tools and actions to shift the focus from reactive to preventative measures. This demonstrates a best practice model for addressing psychosocial risks and creating a healthier work environment.
Similarly, Warakirri Cropping’s focus on the psychological wellbeing of its remote workers underscores the unique challenges faced by those working in isolated environments. By implementing an on-site psychology service and fostering trust through data review and genuine consultation, the company was able to effectively address the mental health needs of its workforce. These examples demonstrate that prioritizing psychosocial wellbeing is not only ethically responsible but also contributes to a more productive and engaged workforce.
Looking Ahead: Continued Focus on Workplace Wellbeing
The 2025 WorkSafe Awards serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing workplace health and safety. The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s success in transforming its return-to-work practices provides a valuable model for other organizations to emulate. As workplaces continue to evolve, it is crucial to adopt proactive and collaborative approaches that prioritize the wellbeing of employees and create sustainable pathways back to work following injury or illness. The ongoing commitment of organizations like the RMH, coupled with the recognition provided by the WorkSafe Awards, will undoubtedly contribute to safer and healthier workplaces across Victoria and beyond.
WorkSafe Victoria will continue to promote best practices and provide resources to support employers and employees in creating safer workplaces. The next scheduled update regarding WorkSafe Victoria’s initiatives is expected in June 2026, with a focus on new guidelines for managing psychosocial risks. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and experiences with return-to-work programs in the comments below. Your insights are valuable as we collectively strive to create more supportive and inclusive workplaces.